In an earlier post I wrote that I was looking for the "Mexicráneos", the large, fiberglass skulls that are painted by talented artists each year for the Day of the Dead. I went to the Paseo de la Reforma, the boulevard where they are usually on display. They were not there. First I was told that they would not be set up along Reforma until next week. Then I read a newspaper article on-line that said that they were going to be in Parque Bicentenario this year.
So today Alejandro and I took the Metro and went to Parque Bicentenario. As you can tell from the name, this park was opened for Mexico's bicentennial in 2010. It is the second largest park in the city, and it was built on the former site an oil refinery. (In fact the Metro stop, which is just steps away from the park entrance, is called "Refinería".)
However, as you can see on the base, this one dates from 2019.
This skull was decorated in the style of the Huichol tribe, with all of the designs done in tiny colored beads.
Each year there is one skull that is done in this style, and it is always displayed within a plexiglass box to protect it from the elements and the hands of visitors. Here in the park, it is sitting unprotected, and, sadly, it is showing some signs of wear with beads missing.
Just beyond there was another "Mexicráneo", also from 2019.
We continued walking to the large lake at the other end of the park. There were four more skulls on display. These were all from 2017, the year that the "Mexicráneo" project had its beginning.
Alejandro and I took turns posing with this one...
So, where are the "Mexicráneos" for 2021? There was a stand near the lake selling official "Mexicráneo" souvenirs, and I asked the fellow there about it. He said that they are being set up this weekend along the Paseo de la Reforma... the place where they have always been. So, one day next week I will have to go over to Reforma again. Hopefully this time I will see the 2021 edition of the skulls.
No comments:
Post a Comment