Day of the Dead 2009

Bring Back the Dead

The Grand Cemetery of J.G. Posada and M. Manilla Calaveras
A Memoriam for the Dead

Exhibition Dates
October 15- November 21, 2009

The exhibition opens to the public and for school tours October 15, Tues - Sat from 10:00 - 5:00PM. To schedule a tour call (415) 821-1155, $30.00 for a group of 25 students.


Gala Reception
Monday, November 2nd 6 - 10:30 PM $5

Special Activities for the Gala Reception
Danza Azteca
Mask making demonstration by Felipe Horta from Michoacán, Mexico
Sugar Skulls by Miguel Quintana from Puebla, Mexico
Pan de Muertos y Chocolate
Day of the Dead limited edition prints on-view
Posada and Manilla's merchandise available for sale from the private collection of New World Prints.



Main Gallery

Altars and Installations by
Claudia Chapline, Rosalina Contreras, Rosamunda Ayala, Anna Efanova, Dilcia Girón, Susana Gómez, Instructors and Students from GLO Program, Dena Al-Adeeb, Rosa María Hernandez, England Hidalgo, Marcius Noceda, Carlo Ricafort, Mel Vera Cruz, Lian Ladia, Erendiras Leyva (mother & daughter), Rivera Family, Larry Reed, Favianna Rodriguez, Leslie Dreyer, Rosa Valdez, Ann Schnake, Arturo Delgado-Rendon, Leicester Huezo, Alejandra Campos, Claudia Guzmán, Rafael Vieira,
Martin Zuniga, Tuyet Tran, Nadya Williams, Alfonso Ochoa and others.


MCCLA continues the popular altar competition
$500 Best Traditional Altar
$500 Best Contemporary Altar/Installation

Guest Judges
Carlos Villa: artist teacher, community resource, producer
Luis R. Cancel: artist, curator and Director of Cultural Affairs of the San Francisco Arts Commission


Inti Raymi Gallery

"The Grand Cemetery of J.G. Posada and M. Manilla Calaveras
A Memoriam for the Dead"
Curated by James Nikas

The calaveras or skeletons, like "La Catrina" that we see during Dia de los Muertos may have their roots in the ancient customs of the Mexican people but the worldwide migration of calaveras and modern popularization is due mainly to two Mexican printmakers, José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) and Manuel Manilla (1830-1895). While based in Mexico City, Posada and Manilla created thousands of images to illustrate publications including the "penny press" broadsides that were commonly used to communicate news and editorials of the day. These broadsides were very popular around the dates of Dia de los Muertos as they would feature calavera images often satirizing some current event or person and equally, depicting calaveras in life mocking activities, reminding readers of their common destiny. Mexican muralists Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco would later give credit to Posada for his inspiration and influence. The Chicano art movement in the USA as well as much modern art throughout the Americas, even rock and roll's Grateful Dead all carry the influence of Posada and Manilla's work.

This exhibition, "Bring Back the Dead: The Grand Cemetery of J.G. Posada and M. Manilla Calaveras -A Memoriam for the Dead", provides a rarely seen sampling of the many calavera images in the original broadsides illustrated by Posada and Manilla. It is a memoriam to them for their contribution and influence on generations of artists. ¡Viva Posada y Manilla!