Multimedia shows that provide "immersive experiences" seem to be all the rage these days. Here in Mexico City, I have been to shows on Van Gogh, the Impressionists, and, most recently on this trip, Frida Kahlo. Currently there is another show that is being presented for the Day of the Dead season. It is called "Cempasúchil - La Experiencia". (You may remember that "cempasúchil" is the Mexican word for marigold - the flower associated with the Day of the Dead.) The show is presented by Victoria, the brewery that is currently offering a marigold flavored beer, and it is being held in the same venue where the earlier Van Gogh and Impressionist shows were held. I bought tickets for Alejandro and me to attend last Saturday.
You enter through a candle-lit tunnel.
You then come to a large "ofrenda" of (fake) marigolds and candles where you can write a message to your departed loved ones.
Just beyond the "ofrenda" is a space where you can sit and watch a video which tells the legend of the marigold.
According to pre-Hispanic myth, Xóchitl and Huitzilin were a young couple who were very much in love. When Huitzilin was killed in battle, Xóchitl begged the sun god that she be united with her beloved for all eternity. The sun god converted her into a marigold, and her fragrance attracted Huitzilin who had become a hummingbird.
Beyond that there were a couple of mirrored rooms in which you were surrounded by marigolds.
That was it. Oh, at the end there was a bar where you could order the marigold-flavored beer that Victoria brewery is promoting. In fact, the whole show seemed to be a commercial for their beer. Of the four "immersive experiences" that I have attended, this one was definitely the most disappointing... even worse that the Frida Kahlo show. The admission price of $15 is quite high by Mexican standards and was definitely not worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment