Day of the Dead Grand Park 2016
Art in Los Angeles / Downtown / Downtown Los Angeles / Travel blog Los Angeles

See Day of the Dead altars in Grand Park Los Angeles

by carollightwood
day of the dead altar orlando massacre
An altar dedicated to the victims of the Orlando Massacre.

Many of the Dia de los Muertos altars in Grand Park were assembled on Saturday although the ‘official’ start of the display is today, Sunday, October 30, 2016. The altars will be in place for about a week, but it is best to see them early before the marigolds fade.

details orlando massacre altar
A detail of the altar dedicated to the victims of the Orlando Massacre. On the right is a skeleton bride.

For those of you outside the U.S., the Dia de los Muertos is an ancient Mexican custom where people go to the graveyard on All Saints Day (November 1st) to honor their family members who have passed away. They leave flowers and food and clean the gravesites.  This event has continued to grow in popularity in the U.S. and when combined with the English/American Halloween festivities it often results in several days of parties.

Because there is still time for you to go to Grand Park to see these altars I am posting the photos today. Tomorrow I will post photos from the Grand Avenue All Access free entry day at the museums and music venues in downtown Los Angeles.

An altar assembled by the Music Center staff to honor the late Director, Gordon Davidson.
An altar assembled by the Music Center staff to honor the late Director, Gordon Davidson.
detail gordon davidson altar
A detail of the altar in memory of Gordon Davidson, the late director of the Music Center. He passed away unexpectedly this month.
altar by Consuelo Flores
An altar created by Consuelo Flores who teaches altar-making at Self Help Gallery.
tires altar day of the dead grand park
This is not the first time I have seen an altar where the car culture of Los Angeles is a key part of the images. Instead of food on the altar, there are bottles.
south central farmers los angeles altar
This altar created by the South Central Farmers collective seems to celebrate life more than death.  There are a few skulls, but mostly food and flowers on this altar.
we are not criminals altar
The ‘We are Not Criminals’ altar is one of several politically-oriented altars. It, obviously, is a comment on the times and the upcoming election.
no one more altar
A sign on this altar read ‘Ni Una Mas’. It was another of the politically oriented altars.
cikty of los angeles altar detail
A detail of the altar created by the City of Los Angeles Parks division.
Ophelia Esparza is the most celebrated altar maker in Los Angeles. Here she is working on the beginnings of a huge altar in Grand Park.
Ofelia Esparza is among the most celebrated altar makers in Los Angeles. For decades she taught young people how to make the altars through classes at Self-Help Gallery. (Consuelo Flores also teaches altar making at Self-Help.) Here, she is working on the beginnings of a huge altar in Grand Park.

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