Sin Nombre

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS – The Mexican Festival of the Dead on November 4th, 2017, starting at 7 p.m. at the Museum for Sepulchral Culture

The ‘Día de los Muertos’, as celebrated by the Museum of Sepulchral Culture, has become a highlight of cultural life in Kassel and far beyond. This year, the event is dedicated to the many people to the nameless dead, who have vanished at Mexico’s borders and at every border in the world. This theme is reflected in two works designed for the occasion: a masterpiece of a cake by Bianca Maciejewski’s pie manufactory that is both morbid and thought-provoking and an installation next to the “Cantina sin Nombre” by Felix Pestemer, Berlin.

The festival is being kicked off at 5 p.m. in the afternoon by workshops for the old and the young. Photos by artist Alejandro Gutiérrez will also be exhibited; they provide insight into the traditions and celebrations at Mexican cemeteries on the “Day of the Dead”. Works by artist Magda Hildebrand are on display as well. The Mexican dish of skulls made of sugar have inspired several of her paintings and a skull sculpture that combines wire with frosting. Finally, visitors may approach the large “Ofrenda”, an altar for the dead, and deposit a small token of remembrance there for relatives who have passed away.

‘Welcome to the Land of the Free’ – This scenario at the U.S.-Mexican border, meant as a deterrent, has served as inspiration for an edible version made of frosting.

 

In addition to art, cultural history and confectionery, visitors can look forward to music, dances and culinary specialties from Mexico. Performers include the mariachi band “Sol Latino” from Berlin and the dance group “Xanat” of the “Mexikofreunde in Göttingen” society