For Immediate Release –   
 October 27, 2004

 Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA

Artwork by
José Guadalupe Posadas

Día De Los Muertos Altar
Dedicated to all the Casualties of War in Iraq

Victims of the Iraqi War are being memorialized as part of the annual Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar now on display at Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street.

“We are showing the human faces of many of the more than 1250 coalition members that have been killed,” said artist Ginette Rondeau. “More than 15,000 people have been killed thus far in war,” she said. “But they are not just numbers.  Each individual could be a child, a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a cousin, a neighbor, a classmate and a best friend. The lives of these victims were ended far too soon, cutting short their hopes, dreams, careers and marriages.  Our altar pays homage to all the casualties of war; may the spirit of their lives live with us eternally.”

The 15-foot by 7-foot altar will be on display at the north end of Olvera Street October 29 through November 8. The public may leave letters and messages for loved ones at the site.

In addition to Rondeau, artists contributing to the artistic design and construction of the altar include: Juliane Backmann, Al Herion,  Gabriela Quintero and Bonjunnie Comostiles. 

Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an annual event, held every November 1 -2 commemorating the deceased. For more information about the history of Día De Los Muertos, and the Event Schedule for the festivities, please visit www.olvera-street.com. This event is free to the public.

For more information about the Altar Dedication in English,
click here!
For more information about the Altar Dedication in Spanish,
click here!

• Exhibition Dates: October 29 – November 8, 2004
• Location: E-18 Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA