Forgotten Stories, Remarkable Lives: Días de los Muertos 2012 Honors Everyday California Heroes
English Press Release (PDF) | Spanish Press Release (PDF)
A wide range of local artists,
including Rob-O, Imelda Martinez, Brett Cook, Adrian Arias,
Hector Dio Mendoza, Cece Carpio,
and Jenifer Wofford are featured in
the Oakland Museum of California’s (OMCA) 18th
annual Days of the Dead observance and exhibition. On view in the Museum’s
Great Hall October 10 through December 9, 2012, the exhibition Forgotten Stories, Remarkable Lives: Días de los Muertos 2012, features stories about everyday Californians-from political activists to migrant braceros to former
slaves-who’ve made a difference. In addition to individual artists’ altars,
the exhibition features community altars by OMCA docents and students from Tennyson High School (Hayward) and Melrose Leadership Academy (Oakland).
Through altars and installations, the exhibition pays tribute to Californians in the recent and more distant past, and unveils how their remarkable experiences compose the narrative of change in the ever-evolving story of California. Using the Oakland Museum of California’s History Gallery for inspiration, participants were invited to excavate and discover lesser-known stories of Californians. The exhibition celebrates the lives of Californians and reaffirms the extraordinary tapestry that makes up the Golden State.