Exhibition - Mexican Heritage: Costumes, Masks, and Photos

MEXICAN HERITAGE: Costumes, Masks, and Photos, a solo photography exhibition by Staten Island artist Irma Bohórquez-Geisler, D.Phil.,

Featuring a selection of color photographs from Bohórquez-Geisler’s long-term ongoing documentary series Simple Moments of an Emerging Presence, the show captures the simple yet profound moments of everyday life within the Mexican immigrant community in Staten Island, highlighting both the ordinary and the extraordinary.

The exhibition aims to showcase traditional dance costumes, including dresses, masks, and headdresses that represent the rich cultural heritage of Mexico, particularly from the states of Morelos, Tlaxcala, and Puebla. These costumes, which are used in Day of the Dead dances and festivities, will be displayed for limited periods, with permission from their owners who use them during performances. It also includes photographs of home altars honoring deceased loved ones and the preparation of pan de muerto (bread for the deceased) at home and at local bakeries.

The artist’s goal is to preserve these precious traditions, which have been transplanted to Staten Island neighborhoods, while creating opportunities and building bridges that enrich the lives of the Mexican-American community and the broader New York City community. Dr. Bohórquez-Geisler’s mission is to continue to preserve, promote, and share Mexican traditions, ensuring the regional diversity of customs from different states of Mexico is passed on to younger generations of Mexican-Americans. Her work also seeks to introduce these cultural practices to the broader New York community through the richness of Mexican folk arts, music and dance.

This exhibition is made possible with the support of a DCA Art Fund Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs for 2024.