Masks – RDZ Photography

As mentioned in an earlier posting the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows are far more than just gems and minerals. One of the more colorful, and larger shows, is the African Art Show.

There were rows and rows of vendors with all sorts of colorful items.

First up – a Ghana Djembe.

A Benin bronze statue.

A grouping of wooden giraffes.

A Bembe carving from the Congo.

Many of the booths had walls of masks.

Senegalese woven grass baskets.

A collection of masks from the Congo.

According to the all knowing Google Images these small carvings are most likely from the Ivory Coast. Once again proving I should take better notes.

This bust has a great mix of carving and bead work.

The same booth had these amazing full bead work sculptures.

They also had these colorful baskets.

The artist nailed this one.

The mystery ladies.

In Mexican culture the Day of the Dead is celebrated the first two days of November. This celebration honors the memory of those who have passed on.

Presented by the Cleveland Public Theater and Artistas Latinos Unios, Cleveland has had a Dia de Muertos for 14 years.

Most participants paint their faces.

While it might seem morbid, it is in fact a joyous occasion that is intended to dispel fear of death and embracing the cycle of life.

In Cleveland many non Latino people participated.

While most had face paintings, traditionally hand made clay skulls are also used.

The Cleveland Public Theater is housed in a former church. Inside they had a number of exhibits set up.

This young lady had one honoring her family.

As did this young lady. Note in the back numerous photos and offerings to her deceased family members. Throughout the church/theater and outside in the ‘pop up’ cemetery were a number of such altars (known in Spanish as ofrendas)

One of the event coordinators was ready.

It was a really cool event, with lots of great looks.

Stylish and macabre at the same time.

Finally it was time for the procession to begin…..

One of the bands lead the march.

Anyone who had signed up and was in ‘costume’ could participate.

Some clearly had spent more time putting together their look.

One of my favorites.

Many entire families participated.

This young lady had the face painting but the rest of her family wore the masks.

Happy skeletons!

The origins date back thousands of years and coincide with the annual harvest. It combined Aztec and Christian practices.

Today is has become so popular in the United States even places like Party City sell merchandise for the celebration, although these ladies clearly did better than going down the local Party City.

Not sure why, but it seems every Cleveland parade has a number of people on stilts. But what’s not to like in a 10′ skeleton lady coming down Detroit Avenue!