The “Days of the Dead”, November 1 and the 2nd, constitute one of the most important holidays, traditions and customs for Mexicans, which has been practiced since preHispanic times in each of the indigenous towns and must cities of Mexico. The popular belief lies in the return of the “faithful deceased” to the world of the living, to stay with their families one night and to be nourished by the food that the mourners prepare to receive them and that are placed on altars as an offering. In 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared this festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, due to its importance and significance in contemporary times and as a constitutive source of identity. On the occasion of this festivity, LARIMAR Gallery Hotel Boutique presents a unique installation of “Nichos y Dichos” [ Niches and Saying] designed in four different wooden structures, whose origin comes from the little boxes that families formerly bought from artisans to decorate them with images of saints or virgins, which later changed to altarpieces and niches with various images. In each of the “Nichos y Dichos” artworks supports, typical scenes of sayings from the Mexican popular imagination are represented, such as: Ya Chupó Faros. [Already sucked Faros (Faros is a cigarettes brand)]; Los muertos al cajón y los vivos a fiestón [The dead to the coffin and the living to the party]; Un mezcal para la guapura y después una santa sepultura [A mezcal for the beautiful lady and then a holy burial]; No esperaré a que la muerte nos separe I will not wait for to the death to separate us]. The paremias (Sayings) have a didactic, moral or even humorous intention. The artistic conception was carried out in an extraordinary way by the graphic designer Diana M. Chagoya González, [Mandarina], who has been an accomplice, for years, in LARIMAR’s special projects. We hope that with these artistic works the traditions and customs of our native peoples continue to be preserved and disseminated and that, at the same time, the spaces and streets of the city are given new meanings with new readings and artistic expressions. We hope that the rich Oaxacan culture will attract greater interest from tourism, for the benefit of the local economy, hospitality and related activities.

Dulce María Méndez García
CEO LARIMAR Gallery Hotel Boutique
Oaxaca de Juárez, November, 2024