Saturday, December 8, 2012

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN DIA DE LOS MUERTOS OFRENDA TO BLANCHE KLEID ZUCKERMAN



I am reintroducing this Day of the Dead altar that I created for the Loveland Museum Gallery's "Grave Matters Exhibition" in 2006 in Northern Colorado. I had framed this old photo of my mother, Blanche Kleid Zuckerman (who my altar was dedicated to) to resemble an iconic religious print of the Virgin Mary. I turned a digital copy of the old photo into a sepia tone and placed it into an old velvet frame. Día de los Muertos ofrenda altars typically employ pictures of one's loved ones who have passed, alongside religious prints and paintings. My photo of my mother served double-duty on my own altar.

I have reposted these pictures in honor of what would have been Blanche's 90th birthday earlier this week. Blanche was born December 4, 1922 in New York City and passed away from ovarian cancer on June 14, 2001 in her home in Santa Monica, California. I am so fortunate to have been with her at her bedside, holding her hand, while she slipped into the great beyond. Happy Birthday, Blanchie!!

Please join my dear friend, Rebecca Brooks at her blog for the 12 days of Mary sharing by artists around the world: Recuerda Mi Corazon. I have linked this post to Rebecca's site.

Laurie Beth Zuckerman's "Forbidden Fruit" ofrenda installation
was created at the Loveland Museum Gallery
as the focal piece of the 2006 Grave Matters Exhibition

9 comments:

Meri said...

Laurie -- this is magnificent! What a lovely tribute to your mother and how great that you got to share it will all the museum goers. I'm sure it was an inspiration to each person who saw it. And yes -- happy birthday, Blanche. I'm sure you're proud as punch of your daughter.

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! What incredible work ~ magnificent altar and wonderful tribute to your Mom ~ blessings to you ~ (A Creative Harbor) aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^

GlorV1 said...

Hi Laurie. It is indeed a beautiful tribute to your Mother. Happy Birthday Blanche. My mom is 90 years of age. That is magnificent! Thank you.

Barbara said...

Wow the altar you created is stunning, absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to your mother. My mother turned 90 this year too. Amazing. Our own madonnas!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

And I know how much time and heart went in to that loving project! Fabulous!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Don't you just love being able to wish happy birthday to those who are no longer present physically? But the spirit, ah, the spirit...now that's another matter entirely!

Lady of Sorrows

Priti Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Blanche...
It is every Mother's wish to be so important to their children, she must of been a hell of a woman♥

Hettienne Grobler said...

it touches my heart so deeply! You have opened my mind and eyes to an amazing art form! I have been dreaming of your altars at night, especially the pink one! they speak louder than any words ever could. thank you for sharing

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

Absolutely spectacular! How I wish I could have seen it.