The Green-Wood Cemetery announced that it will be showcasing a new Day of the Dead-inspired art installation beginning on Oct. 14, 2023.
Titled Mictlán, the installation was created by Cinthya Santos-Briones, a Brooklyn artist that utilized ancient and modern conceptions of death in Mexico to put together her work of art.
As a former anthropologist and ethnohistorian, Santos-Briones is an artist who reflects histories, rituals, and customs through her work.
With Mictlán, Santos-Briones drew inspiration from her family’s Día de los Muertos celebrations in Tulancingo, Mexico, along with numerous families she visited while working in the field.
“Mictlán references the conception of death in Mesoamerican thought—life-death duality. I created this work through extensive research, revisiting the iconography of death through pre-Hispanic and colonial texts,” said Santos-Briones.
For her art piece, Santos-Briones incorporated a number of images and symbols synonymous with the Mexican holiday, including skulls, papel picado (cut-paper decorations), and depictions of Santa Muerte (which translates to “Holy Death”).
“Through textile design, I honor the figure of Santa Muerte, one of the most revered patron saints in the transnational space for migrants, which has its origins in the cult of the goddess Mictecacíhuatl, lady of the underworld, of Mictlán,” said Santos-Briones.
“I've included additional images of death I found in my research and which I've reinterpreted in silkscreen on colored linen, inspired by the floral arrangements woven by my grandmothers.”
Since 2018, the Green-Wood Cemetery has commissioned a local artist each year to create a new installation and community altar in celebration of Día de los Muertos.
Similar to year’s past, the cemetery is once again inviting the community to come check out the free installation and pay tribute to lost loved ones by lighting candles and leaving personal items as offerings.
Mictlán is open daily to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 19, 2023 — the installation’s final day.
In addition, Green-Wood will also be hosting a Day of the Dead Family Celebration event on Nov. 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more details about the event, visit the Green-Wood Cemetery website.
