Funeralia
The word "funeralia" has been used since the 19th century to describe the conventions, codes and protocols that govern funeral rituals. The objects produced and used for those rituals reveal the values and world-views of the various cultures to which they belong.
Funeral urn (1850/1900) by Productor no identificadoMuseum of the Purpose of the Object
In present day Mexico, death is transcendental. We are closely connected to it on a daily basis. In Mexico, death is just another family member sitting at our table.
Funeral Mask (1900/1950) by Productor no identificadoMuseum of the Purpose of the Object
This attitude is an amalgam of pre-Hispanic cosmogony and Spanish tradition, creating a truly unique cultural syncretism around human mortality.
Three students traveled across the Rhine. Picture postcard. (1900/1915) by Productor no identificadoMuseum of the Purpose of the Object
The "Calavera"
In pre-Hispanic times, skulls were associated with fertility and rebirth.
During colonial times, the calavera became a reminder of the spiritual preparation for a good death.
The obituary
Obituaries became popular in the nineteenth century and there were several types: death notices, obituary invitations and condolence messages.
Memento Mori, Pope Pius IX. (1878) by L.E. Desmarais (impresor)Museum of the Purpose of the Object
The obituaries used a particular language, remembering the life and the virtues of the deceased.
Memento Mori. Francisco I. Madero and José M. Pino Suárez. (1913-06-07) by Productor no identificado.Museum of the Purpose of the Object
They included emotive or famous verses and the image of the deceased, and were almost always decorated with designs alluding to the occasion: the color black or purple, cemetery crosses, graves, skulls and skeletons.
Remembering is living
The commemorative pieces glorify heroes, martyrs, innocent people, stars, villains, and ordinary mortals.
John Lennon commemorative knife (1980) by Productor no identificadoMuseum of the Purpose of the Object
The effigy or image may be cause for worship because of their feats for the country, sporting achievements, popular movements, idols, or political exploits,
Freedom Fighters Fan. (1968) by Glenn, Hall & Jordan Funeral Service.Museum of the Purpose of the Object
... even more intensely if it was an individual whose life had been cut tragically short defending an ideal.
Relicario [Reliquary] (1850/1900) by Productor no identificadoMuseum of the Purpose of the Object
Through various objects, the memory of one who is no longer with us is intended to last.
Everyday death
Octavio Paz said that the modern period is characterized by a denial of death. There are now many ways to help to delay it: medicine, sports, nutrition, the veneration of beauty and youth.
Mexican Children’s Library. La montaña de cráneos ó Las Crueldades de Ahuízotl. [The mountain of skulls or the Cruel Deeds of Ahuízotl]. Republished by Banobras (Edición original: 1899-1901. Reedición de Banobras 1967) by Heriberto Frías (textos) José Guadalupe Posada (Ilustraciones)Museum of the Purpose of the Object
We often avoid facing it or having direct contact with it.
Dije Santa Muerte [Santa Muerte trinket] (2000/2007) by Productor no identificadoMuseum of the Purpose of the Object
It is important to recognize that death is a constant presence in daily life in Mexico; interaction with the macabre is part of our daily lives and our national identity.
Ex voto (1932-11-02) by Pintor no identificadoMuseum of the Purpose of the Object
Calaveras in Chaos. Card. (1852/1913) by José Guadalupe Posada (atribución)Museum of the Purpose of the Object
We will all be "calaveras"
The objects shown here cause us to reflect on our own mortality and our perception of the world. They remind us that, in the words of G.B. Shaw, "by learning to die, we live better".
Equipo del MODO
Antonio Soto, Arely Chong, Azael Lara, Carlos González, Edmundo Vargas, Javier Ávalos, Jonathan Torres, Mariana Huerta de la Sota, Mariana Pérez, Martín Cruz, Natalia Cheng, Paulina Newman, Piedad Romero, Rosario Luna, Zereh Gutiérrez.
Adaptado por Antonio Soto de la exposición "El modo de vivir la muerte" curada por Aurora Avilés y Víctor Rodríguez presentada en el MODO en 2012.
Museo del Objeto del Objeto © 2016.
