Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead as it is known in English, is a Mexican holiday that takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November every year to remember and honour family, friends and ancestors who have departed, thus celebrating the connection between life and death. It is one of the most relevant representations of Mexico’s living heritage and in 2008, UNESCO added the holiday to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
For 2022, the installation will take inspiration from the migration patterns of the majestic Monarch butterflies. In November each year thousands of Monarch butterflies arrive in central Mexico, after travelling from the south of Canada and the north of United States of America.
The Mexican community believe that these butterflies are the souls of their departed loved ones who have returned for the Día de Muertos celebrations. Visitors to the National Museum will see a towering 3-level pyramid decorated with more than 5,000 colourful handmade flowers, over 5000 paper monarch butterflies, 3.5m of blue papel picado (paper flags) significant of the celebration as well as other decorations placed on the pyramid and around the installation.
Venue: National Museum of Singapore, The Salon, Level 1
When: 19 - 30 Nov 2022, 10am - 7pm
By: National Museum of Singapore
