The Ofrenda Ritual: Bridging Art and Death

Abstract

Ceremonial offerings made by pre-Hispanic Mexica-Aztecs to gods and deceased loved ones once created a living spiritual community. These powerful, artistic rituals symbolized earth’s life-giving force, as the souls of the dead were invited to join the living in vigils of communion. In return, the dead offered protection to the living and prosperity in families, crops, health, and businesses. Many cultures around the world have found solace in similar art-making traditions honoring the dead, but over time Western society has been removed from these ceremonies and connection to the deceased, which has led to fear, anxiety, and complicated grief surrounding death. Today, a renewed collective interest in the tradition of celebrating the dead known as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has arisen throughout Mexico and the United States. The creation of the ofrenda (altar) is the center of this elaborate festivity. This dissertation researched how an art-making process of the ofrenda ritual provided a deeper relationship with death. As a depth psychological art-based research study, it explored the ofrenda artmaking process of through an experiential Jungian art therapeutic and active imagination lens. The thematic analysis of the ofrenda installations and interviews with participants revealed conflicted emotions regarding grief. Findings suggest these apprehensions addressed in an art therapeutic environment can be decreased through art making while unconsciously bridging a deeper relationship and open discussions surrounding death.