posted on October 31, 2008 06:00:31 AM new
Hope you and your family have a safe and happy Halloween!
An illustration of the 19th century stage illusion called "Pepper's Ghost"
A Selection of Day of the Dead Photographers -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on October 31, 2008 11:53:56 AM new
Our son-in-law actually was a photographer of day of the dead altars. He'd travel to Mexico, take b&w photos of family altars, give them to his art partner who would handcolor meticulously every part of the photo. He sold them all over the world, and has been in the Smithsonian. We have one that I cherish.
He's on to other things now (writing user manuals on contract for Adobe, 6 months of the year).
_____________________
posted on November 1, 2008 05:55:35 AM new
While I know that Halloween and el Dia de los Muertos are connected thru the Catholic tradition of All Saints and All Souls Days, it bothers me a bit to see them becoming intermingled. There isn't anything scary or spooky about the Day of the Dead, and it hasn't (yet) been walmartized. It's an emotionally very bittersweet time for families to come together and remember and celebrate their loved ones who have passed. Enjoy the season!
posted on November 1, 2008 02:29:00 PM new
I am sure I am not the only person who cannot stand Halloween!
I have always given my daughter and Granddaughter a hard time saying it is an excuse for children to go out begging from door to door and for WalMart to make lots of money selling costumes and candy!
I always thought it was All Hallows Eve which I remembered as a Pagan celebration??
I am probably totally wrong so you can do what my family does as they call me the
'Grinch of Halloween'!!!
posted on November 1, 2008 02:54:00 PM new
Profe51, I am sure you are right about our not understanding the cultural significance of the Day of the Dead. I collect only the day of the dead skeletons with cameras which are mostly tourist ketch. In defense of our ignorance I so think skeletons are associated with Halloween and are certainly scary to many people. -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on November 1, 2008 08:54:44 PM new
Otteropp: I too detest Halloween. A doctor told us years ago that, because kids eat so much sugar on Halloween and lower their resistance, there are many more kids sick in the week following.
One year we bribed our kids with $10 not to go trick or treating, and they bought it. And their teeth thanked them, I'm sure.
I also think that adults in costumes are goofy. And. . . I hate the emphasis on skeletons, ghosts, demons, etc.
Seeing a receptionist in a medical office dressed in a ghoulish costume . . . yuck. I just don't get the whole business of dressing up and scaring people.
The grinch who stole Halloween, for sure. Bah humbug!
_____________________
posted on November 2, 2008 04:44:30 AM new
otterop
"Hallows" is an old term for "Saints". All Hallows eve is All Saints Eve, the night before All Saints' Day. The next day, Nov. 2, is All Souls' Day, a day which celebrates those who have died but not yet achieved heaven. Nov. 2 is el Dia de los Muertos, a federal and state holiday in Mexico.
