Day of the Dead on Olvera Street

"Day of the Dead on Olvera Street No. 1" 2015

Last year I observed Dia de los Muertos on Olvera Street, the oldest part of downtown Los Angeles. The home made alters constructed featured framed photographs of loved ones decorated with candles, papel picado and flowers. Offerings of sugar skulls, breaded bones and water where carefully laid in out to nourish their departed souls. Although they were remembering their dearly departed, the mood of the celebration was anything but somber.

The mariachi band in the square's rotunda kept the beat for the dancers who's faces were painted like fanciful calaveras. Traditionally, Mexican and Aztec cultures used to wear skeleton masks. The more modern approach is now see in the painted faces.

I was fortunate enough to befriend a family that were elegantly dressed for the occasion and they agreed to pose for me in the Avila Adobe, the oldest residence still standing in LA. Its thick 3 foot adobe brick walls, tar sealed roof, covered porches and the courtyard, where cooking used to take place was a perfect backdrop for these calaveras. 

The immortality of our souls and the celebration of the dead is a beautiful and positive way for all of us to overcome our fear of dying. The symbolic memento mori of this Mexican tradition reminds us all that we are all destined for death one day but that is it only a natural progression and one not to be feared.

Larga vida a los muertos!

Julie Green

October 29, 2016

"Day of the Dead on Olvera Street No. 2" 2015

"Day of the Dead on Olvera Street No. 3" 2015

"Day of the Dead on Olvera Street No. 4" 2015

"Day of the Dead on Meridian Street No. 1" 2015