Stunning, vibrant altars created by local and Bay Area artists could be seen on the first and fifth floors of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library as part of the 25th Annual Art of Remembrance Altar Exhibit.
The exhibit, which opened Oct. 10 and will close Nov. 4, serves as a celebration of Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead.
Día de los Muertos is an indigenous holiday originating from southern Mexico that celebrates the memory of family members and loved ones who have died, according to a Tuesday USA Today article.
The event is hosted annually by the Africana, Asian American, Chicano and Native American Studies Center, which focuses on instilling understanding and appreciation of all cultures and academically supporting students among other goals, according to its webpage.
“It’s a diverse presentation as well as campus representation of the Chicanx/Latinx Success Center and also the Department of Chicano/Chicana Studies,” said Kathryn Blackmer Reyes, Africana, Asian American, Chicano and Native American Studies Center director and university librarian, in a Zoom call.
Blackmer Reyes said she hopes students see beyond the religious aspects of the altars.
“You know . . . the symbolic significance of honoring those that have passed right, and I think right now we can all relate to that,” Blackmer Reyes said.
The Africana, Asian American, Chicano and Native American Studies Center partners with the San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild and San Jose Public Library to create the exhibit every year.
Each altar is presented in a unique way and covered head to toe in radiantly colored flowers, garland and other decorations.
Altars, or ofrendas, feature memorabilia including photographs, cultural clothing and Virgin Mary portraits. They also contain offerings including Mexican pastries, fruit and alcohol.
Local artist Irene Berrones Kolb, who composed one of the ofrendas, designed a more traditional altar this year.
It displays photographs of her loved ones that she has lost.
Berrones Kolb said the pictures and memories that they hold were her favorite part of creating the ofrenda.
“The images of my family members that have passed and the beautiful memories I have of them, the fun memories,” she said in a Zoom call. “Visiting with them at their houses, celebrating people’s birthdays, celebrating milestones and just everyday stopping by.”
The public is able to see a part of Mexican culture and their ritual of honoring the dead through various altars.
“I think a lot of times people who are not part of the culture don’t appreciate it,” Berrones Kolb said.
Stephen Nakamura, SJSU open university kinesiology student, said he was reminded of his own traditions by the altars.
“The altars and shrines that they erect for their dead relatives is very reminiscent of how many Asian cultures do it,” Nakamura said.
The ofrendas symbolize Mexican American culture and history and acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices they have made.
“It’s not just about recognizing those that have passed, but I think of how we, as individuals [can] contribute to change,” Blackmer Reyes said.
The exhibit depicts the importance of life and celebrating all lost loved ones so that they may never be forgotten.
“Everyone’s life is just so precious and important and it’s beautiful to be able to honor them no matter who they are,” Berrones Kolb said.
