The mission of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture is to advance arts, culture, and creativity throughout LA County. We fulfill our mission by providing services and support in areas including grants and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations; professional development opportunities; commissioning civic artworks and managing the County’s civic art collection; implementing countywide arts education initiatives; research and evaluation; career pathways in the creative economy; free community programs; and cross sector creative strategies that address civic issues. This work is framed by the County’s Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative and a longstanding commitment to fostering access to the arts.
Department(s):
Board of Supervisors, Executive Office
Supervisorial District:
1
About the Artwork:
Dia de Los Muertos – Altar Ancestros de Los Ángeles by artist Dalila Paola Mendez is a project in partnership with the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L Solis. and Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
Grand Park celebrates the traditions of Día de los Muertos with multiple ways to experience and learn about the holiday.
Self-Help Graphics & Art and Lore Media & Art collaborated with the Grand Park to present 50 altars and art installations created by local artists and community groups that reflect the theme Looking to the Past to Build the Future. The Arts Commission commissioned Mendez to create a multi-year use altar for Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Ancestros de Los Ángeles (Ancestors of Los Angeles)
Mendez’ altar design illustrates Los Angeles County showcasing the county as a calavera (skeleton). Featured on her dress is the map of Supervisorial District 1 with the Supervisor’s County Seal. Her belt also includes a motif and symbol found in the seal and in indigenous textiles. In between the two motifs is the Supervisor Solis’s Logo 1H. The tree of life is behind the calavera giving life and hope to Los Angeles County and paying homage to the people who have passed in this county. The Los Angeles skyline and the San Gabriel mountains are found behind her. The front of the calavera represents ancestors who have passed and who have planted roots for future generations living here. The flowers and leaves symbolize the growth of new endeavors like art, business, health services, environmental stewardship and families that create new life here in the County.
To learn more visit: http://www.dalilamendez.com/
Dalila Paola Mendez is an indigenous Guatemalan/Salvadoran queer artist born and raised in Los Angeles. She creates vibrant contemporary works combining her ancestry as a way to reinterpret and navigate issues confronting our modern world. Through painting, printmaking, photography and film her art visually narrates stories of resilience of cultures, elders, LGBTQ, women and the environment.
Mendez recently was awarded an artist-in-residence grant through the City of LA Department of Cultural affairs and conducted several community painting/printing workshops.
About the Artist:
Dalila Paola Mendez is an indigenous Guatemalan/Salvadoran queer artist born and raised in Los Angeles. She creates vibrant contemporary works combining her ancestry as a way to reinterpret and navigate issues confronting our modern world. Through painting, printmaking, photography and film her art visually narrates stories of resilience of cultures, elders, LGBTQ, women and the environment.
Mendez recently was awarded an artist-in-residence grant through the City of LA Department of Cultural affairs and conducted several community painting/printing workshops.
