In this project, we created a poem (calavera) and figurine (calaca) in the día de los muertos (Day of the Dead) style of artwork. We researched the traditions revolving around día de los muertos and recreated them. Everyone chose a deceased family member and created a poem and figurine representing that person.
Poema Calavera
Su nombre es Ben
Obeso, peludo, amable, tibio, y perezoso
A él le gusta pollo fresco
Hermano de babear, amigo de dormir
Él mira la presa huir
Él escucha los píos de los pájaros
Él muda muchos pelos
La silla verde es como su hotel
Comer atún es importante a él
Él quiere una cómoda silla
Él espera dormir todo el día
Él sueña con ratónes abundantes
A él le fascinan objetos brillantes
Él es viejo como un abuelo
Él va a gato cielo
Calaca
Reflection
Throughout this project I learned a great deal about día de los muertos artwork. I learned how they view death, what day of the dead is, how they honor the dead, etc. Exhibition night went smoothly. Everyone showed their calaca and calavera at different times and answered questions about the project. Exhibition took place at a church, and an altar and incense were present. A challenge extension for this project was to make it rhyme. Since I had only a few months of Spanish under my hat, this was not a easy feat. However, with the help of Word Reference (.com) and my Spanish help teacher, I managed to pull it off. If I were to do this project over again, I wouldn't do much different. The few changes I would make would include start painting my calaca sooner (as I was a bit rushed near the end), and spending more time making my poem more refined. I am most proud of my calaca. My calaca is of my deceased and beloved cat, Ben. I am art challenged, and on top of that, was currently suffering from a broken hand. The fact that I managed to make my cat look like a cat is a small miracle.