Drop-in workshop: Decorating Calaveras
The finishing programme of Kumu’s Latin American Great Hall exhibition takes you straight to Latin America. On 1 and 2 November, the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is celebrated in Mexico. In this drop-in workshop, we will take inspiration from a tradition of this holiday by decorating colourful and functional calaveras to celebrate our ancestors.
The workshop is led by Merari, a Mexican artist based in Estonia. This workshop is suitable for adults and children aged 5+. At the end of the workshop, you will leave with your very own decorated calavera to keep or give to a loved one.
What is a calavera?
A calavera (“skull” in English) is a form of Mexican folk art: a crafted gift, decoration or food in the shape of a human skull. While some calaveras are made from sugar, others are made with clay: these are the ones we will decorate in this workshop. Traditionally, calaveras are decorated in creative and colourful ways as symbols to honour those who have passed away. Sometimes, the name of a loved one for whom the gift is intended is written on the forehead of the calavera, as a vibrant celebration of life and love.
A calavera can also be an artwork related to the Day of the Dead, candy given to children during the celebration or a poem that defies death through humour. The underlying meaning of a calavera is simple: it is a reminder to have fun, because some day you will die.
This event is a part of the public programme of the exhibition “History and Mystery: Latin American Art and Europe”. This is the first time that Latin American art has been exhibited on such a large scale in Estonia. This has been made possible through collaboration with The Phoebus Foundation in Antwerp, which owns one of the largest collections of Latin American art in Europe. The exhibition features art from two eras: the Spanish Colonial period from the 17th to the 19th century, and the modernist art of the 20th century from Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Related events
History and Mystery: Latin American Art and Europe 21/06/2024 – 03/11/2024
This is the first major exhibition of Latin American art in Estonia, featuring art from the Spanish Colonial period, as well as works by 20th-century artists from Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Mexico and Cuba.
Leonora Carrington 21/06/2024 – 03/11/2024
The Kumu project space features seven paintings by Leonora Carrington from her Mexican period, which are characterised by her unique style and fanciful, symbolic imagery.
Drop-in Workshop „Mystical Characters“ 23/10/2024 | 12:00
Family Mornings: Mystical Characters 27/10/2024 | 12:00
Altar of Day of the Dead in Kumu 31/10/2024 – 03/11/2024
From October 31 to November 3, a traditional Day of the Dead altar will be exhibited in Kumu’s atrium. The altar is made in collaboration with Mexican artists based in Estonia and the Embassy of Mexico.
Finissage of the exhibition “History and Mystery: Latin American Art and Europe” 01/11/2024 – 02/11/2024
The finishing programme includes hands-on workshops, exhibition tours, musical and dance performances, and much more.
Workshop: Flavours of Mexico and the Day of the Dead 01/11/2024 | 17:30
Kumu is celebrating the Day of the Dead with a hands-on workshop focusing on the region’s indigenous ingredients, such as corn, chili peppers and cacao.
Workshop: Flavours of Mexico and the Day of the Dead 01/11/2024 | 19:00
Kumu is celebrating the Day of the Dead with a hands-on workshop focusing on the region’s indigenous ingredients, such as corn, chili peppers and cacao.
Guided Tour of the Latin American Art Exhibition 02/11/2024 | 15:00
The coordinator of the exhibition, Inga Jaagus, will lead a guided exhibition tour in English.
Open dance class and party: milonga with Argentine tango 02/11/2024 | 16:00
Kutsume kõiki tantsu- ja Ladina-Ameerika entusiaste Kumu aatriumisse milongale, et tantsida koos Argentina tangot!
Documentary Screenings: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera 02/11/2024 | 16:00
The films focus on the life and artistic practice of two iconic Mexican artists: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Choose an exhibition and a creative workshop that would interest you and your guests.
Related events
History and Mystery: Latin American Art and Europe 21/06/2024 – 03/11/2024
This is the first major exhibition of Latin American art in Estonia, featuring art from the Spanish Colonial period, as well as works by 20th-century artists from Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Mexico and Cuba.
Leonora Carrington 21/06/2024 – 03/11/2024
The Kumu project space features seven paintings by Leonora Carrington from her Mexican period, which are characterised by her unique style and fanciful, symbolic imagery.
Drop-in Workshop „Mystical Characters“ 23/10/2024 | 12:00
Family Mornings: Mystical Characters 27/10/2024 | 12:00
Altar of Day of the Dead in Kumu 31/10/2024 – 03/11/2024
From October 31 to November 3, a traditional Day of the Dead altar will be exhibited in Kumu’s atrium. The altar is made in collaboration with Mexican artists based in Estonia and the Embassy of Mexico.
Finissage of the exhibition “History and Mystery: Latin American Art and Europe” 01/11/2024 – 02/11/2024
The finishing programme includes hands-on workshops, exhibition tours, musical and dance performances, and much more.
Workshop: Flavours of Mexico and the Day of the Dead 01/11/2024 | 17:30
Kumu is celebrating the Day of the Dead with a hands-on workshop focusing on the region’s indigenous ingredients, such as corn, chili peppers and cacao.
Workshop: Flavours of Mexico and the Day of the Dead 01/11/2024 | 19:00
Kumu is celebrating the Day of the Dead with a hands-on workshop focusing on the region’s indigenous ingredients, such as corn, chili peppers and cacao.
Guided Tour of the Latin American Art Exhibition 02/11/2024 | 15:00
The coordinator of the exhibition, Inga Jaagus, will lead a guided exhibition tour in English.
Open dance class and party: milonga with Argentine tango 02/11/2024 | 16:00
Kutsume kõiki tantsu- ja Ladina-Ameerika entusiaste Kumu aatriumisse milongale, et tantsida koos Argentina tangot!
Documentary Screenings: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera 02/11/2024 | 16:00
The films focus on the life and artistic practice of two iconic Mexican artists: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Choose an exhibition and a creative workshop that would interest you and your guests.