Because it's early November in the Valley, and because the Dead truly rock, the Desert Botanical Garden held its own Dia de los Muertos celebration on their grounds. The afternoon was a nice mix of skeleton-themed art, art vendors, music, and, of course, desert botanical beauty. Here are some of my photos from today's event. As you can see from the photo above, even the Dead took the opportunity today to get out and soak up some fun and sun. And that's good, because it's all about appreciating life and cherishing the memory of those we love who have passed.
With a prickly pear cactus blooming at the bottom, this mural really adopts a Southwestern sensibility.
With the heart and roses, this piece employs some traditional Southwestern symbols.
I wish this one came out better. If it did, you would see more clearly the toys assembled on the board to compose the figure of a large skull. Very cool.
I love the crazy colorfulness of the mural above, bordered with the artificial rainbow lei. Surrounding the skull are a variety of philosophical and religious symbols.
This one was my favorite. It's quite eerie. You can almost anticipate the skeleton becoming animate and turning its head fully to gaze upon you. Or maybe she's just gazing at that photograph and reminiscing about days gone by.
This was one of the performance numbers on stage. Look at the loving gaze between these two, above, and then look at them lean in towards each other, below, sitting shoulder to shoulder. It is true. Love never dies.
There was also an all-women mariachi band, and they were excellent. Listening to them perform, I couldn't help but to think of my mother, who loved mariachi music, as well as the beauty of the desert. Needless to say, I could have listened to them all day.
Here, two skulls recline on the steps in the sun and take it all in. It's all about loving life, and each other!
