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Nicho: "Un Esqueleto en cada Ropero"

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Title	Nicho: "Un Esqueleto en cada Ropero"
Subject	Holidays -- Mexico Mexico -- Social life and customs All Souls' Day All Souls' Day -- Mexico Saints Mexico -- Religious life and customs Christian art and symbolism
Description	When the Conquistadors, 16th-century Spanish explorers who came to the New World, arrived in the Americas, they brought with them many of the traditions of Spain, especially those having to do with religion. It was customary in Colonial homes to have a niche, or nicho" a recessed frame that held either a figure or an image of a particular saint, which would bless the house. Nichos were carved into a wall or made of tin and hung on a wall. Today in Mexico, nichos and altars to saints, especially to the Virgin of Guadeloupe, who is the patron saint of Mexico, are present in homes and in businesses, often dressed up with flower and candle offerings. This nicho relates to the traditional Mexican celebration El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a time when it is believed that spirits of family members and friends who have passed away come back to Earth to their gravesites so that they may visit their loved ones. This nicho pokes fun at the old saying "there's a skeleton in every closet" (un esqueleto en cada ropero). This Nicho was created by a small studio called Cielito Lindo Estudio, located in the town of San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico. The town is considered a Mecca for the arts with two major art institutes, numerous galleries, and countless artists-in-residence. Cielito Lindo Estudio is operated by a young husband and wife, Jose Antonio Madrazo Galvez and Anke de Madrazo, who combine the traditional tin nichos found in Mexican homes with found objects, milagros, woodcarvings, and bright Mexican colors. Not all of the nichos they create relate to Day of the Dead, but this one reflects the wry humor often reflected in the holiday's art. Skeletons, like the one seen here, are created by artists to make people laugh and to poke fun at death. Skeletons from all walks of life can be seen, relaying the message that no matter who you are in life-rich or poor, famous or unknown-you will end up a skeleton in the end. Skeleton decorations and sculptures can be seen in homes, markets and all around town during the weeks leading up to Day of the Dead, celebrated from October 31 - November 2.
Photographer	Kaveney, Wendy
Identifier	2004.39.1
Collection	Artifacts at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Rights	This file is licensed under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

Title	View 1
Photographer	Kaveney, Wendy
Collection	Artifacts at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Rights	This file is licensed under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

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Nicho: "Un Esqueleto en cada Ropero"

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