La Calavera Catrina is a figure based on a 1910 political cartoon by Jose Guadalupe Posada.
It was a satirical commentary on the class divide in Mexico right before the Revolution of 1911.
It was a statement about Mexican women who were loosing their culture to European Colonization.
Diego Rivera then painted a famous mural of her which blew up the concept even further.
La Catarina reminds us that no matter how rich you are, or how assimilated you become to a capitalist hierarchical culture, the Goddess of Death Mictecacihuatl will come for us all to take us to the lowest level of the Underwold at death.
I’m not Mexican, but I appreciate this sentiment so much. The absurdity of attempting to assimilate to a system which oppresses us.The preservation of ancient culture that still winks through the buttoned up colonial values.
I love her morbid and sunken reminder to celebrate life. And the history which proves the power of art to spark whole movements.
And to La Catrina Calavera, who I’m sure you’ll see watching today if you’re paying attention.
As a descendant of European colonist ancestors, I’ll do my best to honor with care.
La Catarina isn’t a scary costume, and Dia De Los Muertos is not Halloween.
It’s an ancient honoring of death, and in my opinion a much better archetype to embody during this time than some slutty version of whatever wrapped in drunk plastic and toxic gut bomb candy.
This is a time to contemplate the shape of the world, and of ourselves, and of our impermanence.
To honor those who have come, what has been and what will pass.
The cycles and the seasons of the year. The rhythms and the timing.
May our he*artworks make movements for generations to come.
May all indigenous peoples be happy, well and free.
All praises to the Catrina.
Feliz Dia de Los Muertos
