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Walter Otto Koenig | all galleries >> PaD: Zuihitsu >> October 2010 > October 25
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25-OCT-2010 Walter O. Koenig

October 25

Calaca

A calaca or calavera (a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton) is a figure of a skull or skeleton
(usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round.
Tracing their origins from Aztec imagery, calacas are frequently shown with marigold flowers and foliage.
As with other aspects of the Day of the Dead festival, calacas are generally depicted as joyous rather than mournful figures.
They are often shown wearing festive clothing, dancing, and playing musical instruments to indicate a happy afterlife.
This draws on the Mexican belief that no dead soul likes to be thought of sadly, and that death should be a joyous occasion.
This goes back to Aztec beliefs, one of the few traditions to remain after Spanish conquest.
- Source: Wikipedia

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Nikon D300 ,Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro
1/10s f/11.0 at 180.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
Maaike Huizer29-Oct-2010 07:41
It is absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful artwork.
Margaret Lew27-Oct-2010 00:45
Love this tradition and what a terrific skull it is!! V
carol j. phipps27-Oct-2010 00:35
Wild and wonderful artistic creation.
Guest 26-Oct-2010 23:14
...if it could only speak!

Well captured for a tranparent subject.
laine26-Oct-2010 22:55
That's one skull worth investigating :))
Barbara Heide26-Oct-2010 21:13
an interesting item...
Ronny Van Eeckhoutte26-Oct-2010 19:54
This is top photography.

v...
Guest 26-Oct-2010 19:17
Interesting glass skull, thanks for the info Walter!
Guest 26-Oct-2010 17:51
What a cool and interesting piece! An unnatural interpretation of something we all have naturally :)
rocky26-Oct-2010 17:10
Interesting background information. Beautiful colors and you've done a terrific job with the lighting. =V=
Cindi Smith26-Oct-2010 15:21
Lovely skull. Very, very nice and great history behind it!
Yvonne26-Oct-2010 11:13
What an amazing piece and fascinating history, superbly displayed Walter! v
Mieke WA Minkjan26-Oct-2010 06:58
what a beautiful glass sculpture and so well presented V
Guest 26-Oct-2010 06:43
:-)
larose forest photos26-Oct-2010 02:58
How interesting. Thank you for that explanation, and for the terrific shot.
Guest 26-Oct-2010 02:51
Beautiful and colorful image, Walter. Excellent capture. v
Marcia Colelli26-Oct-2010 02:12
Interesting piece and interesting history. Nicely captured V
Simon Chandler26-Oct-2010 01:57
Beautifully captured. v
FrankB26-Oct-2010 01:49
interesting piece....V
Wolfgang Bluhm26-Oct-2010 01:47
So, I shouldn't be scared? :-)
Bill Warren26-Oct-2010 01:33
Quite a piece with wild mirroring.
LynnH26-Oct-2010 01:10
One of my favorite holidays too. This crystal skull is awesome!
Guest 26-Oct-2010 00:34
Wonderful work. V.
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