Huge skeletons have “come to life” on a street in Mexico City. Celebrating the Day of the Dead, the sculptures have become the center of attention in the whole Tlahuac neighborhood.
They measure over 11 feet wide and 7 feet tall, and set the tone for the important annual festival during which the locals honor the lives of the departed.
Image credits: San Pedro Tláhuac Tradicional
Image credits: San Pedro Tláhuac Tradicional
Piles of crumbled concrete at the places where the skeletons are connected to the street perfectly create the illusion that the undead are bursting through the asphalt.
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Image credits: Metro Tacubaya
The lively sculptures were created by Jaén Cartonería, a family team of artisans who have been embracing the tradition for the past eight years.
Image credits: Metro Tacubaya
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Jaén Cartonería used papier-mâché to create the sculptures and painted them in a way that makes it look like the skeletons are smiling.
The Day of the Dead holiday has family and friends gathering to pray for and remember their loved ones who have died, supporting their spiritual journey. Interestingly, in Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Therefore, Mexicans view this multi-day holiday not as a day of sadness but as a day of happiness, since their loved ones have come to celebrate with them.
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Image credits: Jaén Cartonería
Image credits: Raymundo Medina Jaen
Image credits: Raymundo Medina Jaen
Here’s what people said about the sculptures
Me too. The black one almost looks like it crawled out of the eye. Spooky :D I hope the paint is nontoxic to cats, just in case. There's also a dog in at least four pictures. And the back and white cat is also in more than one picture (at least three)
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Really fascinating! I have always enjoyed learning about the Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Yeah! I really admire the fact that they can merge death and life in those crafty cool ways
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Me too. The black one almost looks like it crawled out of the eye. Spooky :D I hope the paint is nontoxic to cats, just in case. There's also a dog in at least four pictures. And the back and white cat is also in more than one picture (at least three)
Load More Replies... Really fascinating! I have always enjoyed learning about the Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Yeah! I really admire the fact that they can merge death and life in those crafty cool ways
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