Experience a Special Día de los Muertos Installation, located at the SCDI Entrance

Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a captivating installation by Fernando Escartiz, featuring La Catrina and a young Diego Rivera. The work is inspired by Rivera’s 50-foot mural “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park” (Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central) in Mexico City.

La Catrina, standing 16 feet tall with her elegant skeletal form, represents death with dignity and humor, acting as a bridge between worlds and connecting to the Aztec goddess Coatlicue. Rivera embodies the continuity of life and cultural heritage, reflecting his respect for indigenous roots and a blend of pre-Columbian and European influences. The installation pays tribute to collective heritage, where past and future, life and death, harmoniously converge—serving as a beacon of celebration and reflection during the Day of the Dead.

On view through Friday, November 7. Don’t miss this short-term installation and moment of reflection during Día de los Muertos.

Fernando Escartiz is a Mexican artist celebrated for his large-scale, community-focused installations that weave traditional Mexican symbolism with contemporary expression. His work has been featured in installations for the San Francisco Symphony’s Día de los Muertos celebrations, Redwood City’s Art Kiosk and community festivals, and the San Mateo County History Museum. Through vibrant imagery and cultural motifs, Escartiz invites viewers into immersive spaces that reflect on life, death, and transformation.

We hope to see you at El Camino de Los Muertos on November 1st. There will be a special misa at 4 pm in the Mission Church, musica, altars/ofrendas, crafts, food, vendors, performances and more!