News
A Graphic Novel about Death in Mexico
12.10.2009 14:06
Book Release and Exposition of Original Drawings of "Polvo - Day of the Dead" at Epitaaf, Centre for Funerary Culture in Brussels
Just next to one of the oldest cemeteries of Brussels, Le Cimetière de
Laeken, Epitaaf, an association of volunteers, is caretaking of the
former Ateliers Salu, where three generations of artists created
magnificent tombs for thousands of families. Around the first of
November of almost every year, the building is open to the public. And
many visitors are astonished by the dense atmosphere and the aura still
emanating from this place. A thin layer of dust, a patina of memory
covers what seemingly has not been moved for decades. Hopefully, this
will soon become a Museum of Funeral Customs.
Although the emphasis of Epitaaf´s activities lies on the preservation of things from the past - the old atelier, the cemetery, its neglected tombs, and cemeteries in general - the association always welcomes new and original ideas. And it would be difficult to find a place (outside Mexico) and a time more suitable for presenting a book like 'Polvo' than the Salu family's domain on the 1st of November.
The story of 'Polvo - Day of the Dead' also begins and ends in a former
artist's workshop. We are introduced to the legacy of the (fictive)
Mexican mask carver José Guadalupe Rojas: his workbench and antique
tools; an oil painting portraying him with his dog Valiente and the
parrot Pepe; and last but not least the innumerable masks he created in
his lifetime - on the whole a nostalgic collection of memories.
But what does remain of these memories over the centuries? What route leads from the former workspace to the mask museum and to the museum of funeral customs, respectively? Or will everything end up in an anthropological collection? And what comes afterwards? 'Polvo' is dedicated to such thoughts about evanescence and treats the transitoriness of life in an allegorical fashion. The dead in the book continue to exist - whether in heaven, in the afterlife or in the crypt. Only when there is no one left to remember them, they finally fall to dust.
As this is the time of the year when the living members of the Rojas
family commemorate their beloved deceased, one may not be astonished to
meet the 170-year-old mask carver again, skeletonized but otherwise
safe and sound. He cheerfully enters stage to celebrate this day
amongst the other dead of the family.(By the way, José Guadalupe Rojas
and Ernest Salu I. (1846 -1923) are almost of the same age.)
However,
the worlds of the living and of the dead in 'Polvo' remain separated.
We accompany the living Rojas to the Mexican market and to their
traditional kitchen; we witness them at the altar of the dead and
during the night watch on the cemetery. And we thereby are introduced
to a spirited form of memorial culture. It may sound paradoxical, but
in 'Polvo', the dark medieval motif of the Dance of the Dead becomes an
expression of pure lust for life.
About Epitaaf:
Epitaaf ('Epitaph') is a Belgian non-profit association which promotes
the preservation and study of funerary culture, and, more in
particular, of historical cemeteries and tombs. 25 years ago, a group
of people excited by the beauty of cemeteries, but evenly concerned
about the sad state of most of these 'cities of the dead', decided to
fund an association dedicated to these special but vulnerable places. A
short time after, Epitaaf was able to establish itself in the 'Ateliers
Salu'. This former workshop of a family of sculptors specialized in
grave monuments is situated next to 'Le cimetière de Laeken', one of
the most important cemeteries of Brussels (and Belgium). Since then,
most of the energy and funds have been used to restore this unique site
and preserve the objects - reliefs, sculptures, archives, funerary
decoration etc. - in the best possible way.
Epitaaf organizes
exhibitions and guided tours on cemeteries (and through the workshop)
and frequently publishes a magazine for members of the association.
Some of the members of its board - art historians, architects,
photographers, journalists etc. - are experts in the history and
culture of cemeteries and are often asked for advice by public
institutions, the media or private persons. The ultimate aim of Epitaaf
is to establish a museum and documentation centre on funerary art in
the 'Ateliers Salu'. Epitaaf is a member of the Association of
Significant Cemeteries of Europe and supported by the 'Vlaamse
Gemeenschapscommissie' (Flemish Community in Brussels).
Tim Jansens (Epitaaf) and Felix Pestemer
Exhibition:
Vernissage: 31th october 2009, 18:30-22 h
Exhibition: 01-02, 07-08, 14-15, 21-22 november
Opening Hours: 11-18:00
Epitaaf vwz / Atelier Salu (Cemetery of Laeken)
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwvoorplein 16 / 16 Parvis Notre-Dame
1020 Bruxelles/Brussel - La(e)ken
web: www.epitaaf.org
mail: info@epitaaf.org
Mailorder:
Felix Pestemer
'Polvo – Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos / Tag der Toten'
Triligual first and limited edition (german/spanish/english)
400 numbered and signed Copies
ISBN 978-3-00-028080-1 / 32 €
Mailorder
