The Tree of Life is a metaphor that inspires many interpretations by history’s most dominant religions to create a connection among humans. In my tree of life, I wanted to create a connection among my community, my neighbors, and our environment. I wanted to make visible the unseen injustices that have happened in the Little Village neighborhood and its residents through decades of institutionalized and systemic racism. These injustices happen more often in Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Immigrant communities. In Particular, I want to bring attention to the environmental racism that has affected the Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods for decades. Poor air quality, pollution, and the neglect from the city has made these communities more vulnerable and prone to experiencing respiratory problems. And just when we thought this was too much to deal with, we are fighting a global pandemic that is rapidly spreading and affecting in bigger numbers Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Immigrant communities.
About Sólo un poco aquí: Day of the Dead
This year’s exhibition pays tribute to and remembers the numerous individuals from our community, Mexico, the U.S. and the entire world that have died from COVID-19. Join us to see new installations, paintings, and prints created by local artists for this, the 34th annual Day of the Dead exhibition. In addition there will be works of art in various media from the growing National Museum of Mexican Art Permanent Collection. These works created by Mexican artists from both sides of the border reveal their interest in preserving and participating in one of the most influential living celebrations from Mexico, which over time has transcended borders.
Este año la exposición rinde homenaje y recuerda a todas las personas de nuestra comunidad, de México, los Estados Unidos y del mundo entero que han muerto por el COVID-19. Acompáñenos a ver instalaciones, grabados y pinturas creadas por artistas locales para ésta, la 34ª exposición de Día de muertos. Así mismo, obras en diferentes técnicas de la creciente colección permanente del Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano serán también parte de esta exposición. Este conjunto de obras creadas por artistas mexicanos de los dos lados de la frontera manifiesta el interés de ellos por preservar y participar en una de las celebraciones vivas más importantes de México, la cual, a través del tiempo, ha trascendido fronteras.
Curated by Dolores Mercado
Curatorial Assistant, Marilyn Lara Corral
https://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/events/s%C3%B3lo-un-poco-aqu%C3%AD-virtual-day-dead-kick
PRESS
NBC 5 Chicago
DAY OF THE DEAD
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 11:44 PM
National Museum of Mexican Art Reimagines Day of Dead Exhibit During Pandemic
Instead of canceling its annual Day of the Dead exhibit, the National Museum of Mexican Art reimagined it during the coronavirus pandemic even as the museum remains closed. NBC 5’s LeeAnn Trotter reports.
ABC 7 Chicago
National Museum of Mexican Art opens exhibit honoring Latino dead from COVID-19
By Mark Rivera
Friday, September 18, 2020