Giant Ofrenda Arrives in Manhattan Ahead of Día de Muertos
Designed by artisans from Mestiz Studio in Mexico, the public altar welcomes passersby to make offerings to their loved ones.
An immense ofrenda, named "Twenty Petal Flower," is set to take center stage in Manhattan's Flatiron North Plaza, six days prior to the onset of Día de Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead. This monumental structure, inspired by the Mexican Nahuatl term "cempōhualxōchitl" and the Spanish "cempasúchil" for marigold, functions as a communal altar where community members can offer gifts, candles, and mementos of their departed loved ones until November 3.
In collaboration with Brooklyn-based Powerhouse Arts, Mestiz Studio artisans in Mexico's San Miguel de Allende have meticulously crafted the tiered arrangement using magnified marigolds. These vibrant flowers are believed to guide the spirits of the deceased back to their living relatives annually. Daniel Valero, founder and creative director of Mestiz Studio, emphasized the purpose behind the "Twenty Petal Flower": "With Twenty Petal Flower, we wanted to honor the people behind the cempasúchil’s entire journey, from cultivation to the ofrenda."
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