The Last Tango

In Mexico, the pre-Hispanic tradition which held that the spirits of the departed lingered in a place of rest waiting for the day when they would return to visit their families, melded with the Christian celebration of All Souls Day to become “Dia de los Muertos.” This holiday honors the departed, for they are thought to be close by and are celebrated with set meals, candles, flowers, specially baked breads - all at the grave site.

The skeletal figures commonly associated with this celebration are derived from early twentieth century drawings by Jose Guadalupe Posada in which he mocked human existence and the tragic destiny of man. Posada's skeletons portrayed heroes, politicians, revoultionary leaders and the common man. Seen today in festivals and parades, the calaveras have taken the form of paper mache and ceramic figures.

"I have chosen to celebrate the imagery of The Day of the Dead with a life size bronze couple who are performing their last dance together; hence the title, The Last Tango."