BajaNomad - Show Us Your Altars & Shrines

Show Us Your Altars & Shrines

Natalie Ann - 10-19-2007 at 01:30 PM

How about a showing of some of the Baja shrines and altars we've seen along the way?

I'll start it off:

From a wall in the Mulege Jail:

This from a small shrine along the road by Concepcion:

docsmom - 10-19-2007 at 01:32 PM

Is there a juicy story about why you've seen the inside of the Mulege jail????
:biggrin:

Natalie Ann - 10-19-2007 at 01:35 PM

The shrine at the Tropic of Cancer:

the altar inside:

tripledigitken - 10-19-2007 at 02:32 PM

Nena,

This might be stretching your parameters a bit. Thought all the crosses in this art gallery was worthy of a photo.

Ken

Natalie Ann - 10-19-2007 at 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by docsmom
Is there a juicy story about why you've seen the inside of the Mulege jail????
:biggrin:

Nope, nothing juicy about it. :no:

We were walking around Mulege seeing the sights, taking photos, and my friend suggested a visit to the old jail. Currently it is a museum... quite the interesting place. I highly recommend a visit.

Hook - 10-19-2007 at 02:34 PM

Al G - 10-19-2007 at 02:38 PM

Hook...you are a very brave man.... :lol:

Natalie Ann - 10-19-2007 at 02:39 PM

What a wonderful stretching of parameters, Ken, thank you.
Such colorful and different crosses with a pleasing layout. I'd love to have a wall like that at my house!

You're too funny, Hook. :rolleyes:

Hook - 10-19-2007 at 02:39 PM

I know...........damn Pacifico drinkers are always giving me a hard time.

tripledigitken - 10-19-2007 at 02:45 PM

One of my favorite Church Interiors....San Borja.

Ken

Altar at the library in San Miquel de Alende

Leo - 10-19-2007 at 02:49 PM

If I knew how to submit an picture, I would have a nice one from San Miquel.

vandenberg - 10-19-2007 at 03:00 PM

Here's one from the cathedral

IM001000.JPG - 49kB

vandenberg - 10-19-2007 at 03:18 PM

Or this beauty on top of the cable car hill in Zacatecas

IM000896 (Custom) (2).JPG - 41kB

Skipjack Joe - 10-19-2007 at 03:42 PM

I don't how to contribute to this interesting thread except to quote the eye-talians we lived with:

mamma mia - Santa Maria!

Paula - 10-19-2007 at 04:32 PM

In the church at San Luis Gonzaga

Chapel on the highway between Loreto and La Paz that says Angelis Custodibus outside

At cataldo Mission in Idaho

Cemetary in Loreto

Mision Loreto on Guadalupe Day

Near San Ignacio

Just a few of my favorites :saint:

Nice thread, Nena! And nice pictures from everyone :yes:

Don Alley - 10-19-2007 at 04:36 PM

I live to fish, so here's mine, taken on the way to BCS this fall:

fish.jpg - 41kB

Natalie Ann - 10-19-2007 at 05:17 PM

I knew you'd have some good photos for us, Paulina. Thanks. I especially like that little grotto in San Luis Gonzaga... its simplicity makes it seem so, well, holy.

And that photo from San Bjora, Ken - the illumination and softness of the walls and floors make it reminiscent of days gone by, inviting us into the past. Very nice image.

I am enjoying seeing these photos!

Here's one you'll see along the highway in San Bartolo.

And this is one of my altars at home:

Al G - 10-19-2007 at 05:26 PM

Nena...that last one look's to be a warning...

DianaT - 10-19-2007 at 05:26 PM

Here is one on the road to the Bahia Asuncion Dump---some things didn't make it to the dump

Paula - 10-19-2007 at 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann
I knew you'd have some good photos for us, Paulina. Thanks. I especially like that little grotto in San Luis Gonzaga... its simplicity makes it seem so, well, holy.

You are seeing into the future, Nena. Paulina hasn't postrd yet on this thread. That is my little nicho in San Luis. :biggrin:

Natalie Ann - 10-19-2007 at 05:36 PM

Well just color me embarrassed, Paula. I'm gonna have to stop beginning the tequila hour before I'm done posting. :no:

Your photos are great - and I should have realized they were yours when I saw that photo of the guardian del viajeros - the bus angel. I've never seen that one, but it's on my list.

I notice Don might be one of my kind... I do love to walk in cemetaries, especially at dawn. Old habit from my youth. Enjoyed the photo, thanks Don.

[Edited on 8-25-2009 by Natalie Ann]

Natalie Ann - 10-19-2007 at 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G
Nena...that last one look's to be a warning...

Of course it is not a warning, Al. But ya wanta be nice to me since I've added some extra power to my Guadalupe. :saint:

fdt - 10-19-2007 at 05:52 PM

Do you know aboutnthe tradition behind the Altar de muertos? :?:

Al G - 10-19-2007 at 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G
Nena...that last one look's to be a warning...

Of course it is not a warning, Al. But ya wanta be nice to me since I've added some extra power to my Guadalupe. :saint:

Tell me what kind of candy do you like....

docsmom - 10-19-2007 at 08:40 PM

Beautiful All,
I almost never take photos. Seeing all you're sharing with me, maybe I should re-think my behavior. Your posts are lovely. Thank you.

Mango - 10-19-2007 at 08:45 PM

I threw in a few churches as most of my good pictures of shrines are too large to post here...

All photos from the mainland

Templo Mayor, Mexico City

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas:

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Cemetery in a little town in the sierra's east of DF.

And maybe the creepiest church (Dracula's?)in Mexico, from same secret town:

Paula - 10-19-2007 at 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt
Do you know aboutnthe tradition behind the Altar de muertos? :?:

fdt, are you talking about Dia de los Muertos altars, or the shrines and altars we see in so many places? I know you have a lot of knowledge of both of these things that I don't, and I'd like to hear what you say about both!

Mango, wonderful pictures! If I never get to travel as much as I'd like to on the mainland, Nomad photos from there are the next best thing.

Skipjack Joe - 10-19-2007 at 09:37 PM

Cool stuff Mango. Sort of creepy, though.

We had a neighbor here in HMB who had visited some museum on the mainland that had just stacks of human skulls, bones, and skeletons. She seemed to be quite fascinated by it all ... the highlight of her vacation. I really don't know why Mexico had decided to preserve them and display them to visitors. But apparently they are quite well known. Perhaps you've been there and have some images to share.

DianaT - 10-19-2007 at 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Cool stuff Mango. Sort of creepy, though.

We had a neighbor here in HMB who had visited some museum on the mainland that had just stacks of human skulls, bones, and skeletons. She seemed to be quite fascinated by it all ... the highlight of her vacation. I really don't know why Mexico had decided to preserve them and display them to visitors. But apparently they are quite well known. Perhaps you've been there and have some images to share.

In Guanajuato they have a mummy exhibit---in all the times we have been there, I can't bring myself to visit the exhibit.

Mango - 10-19-2007 at 10:02 PM

Quote:

Yep, jdtrotter was thinking the same thing and posted while I was writing the post below:

It may have been from the town of Guanajuato. They have a mummy museum there of people they have exhumed from the local graveyard once families are unable to pay for the space to keep them buried. (Thats the story I was told/read)

I thought, renting graves, then profiting from the the remains of poor people that got dug up because their families didn't pay was morally/ethically wrong. So I didn't go to the museum.

Mexico has a morbid history at times; but, it is far from unique on the world stage. France and Italy, both have extensive catacombs. I am sure there are many other cultures with stacks of skulls laying about, most recently the killing fields of Cambodia.

I have been to several ruins/museums with human remains displayed; but, none really impressed me like the video of the massive catacombs beneath Paris that I saw on the discovery channel show "Underground: Paris". However; the Aztecs were fond of displaying skulls and skeletons in a morbid sort of way.

[Edited on 10-20-2007 by Mango]

Skipjack Joe - 10-19-2007 at 10:06 PM

Yes, that's it, Diane. I just googled it up. Check out this image. Can you believe it?

Las%20Momias-726934.jpg - 29kB

fdt - 10-20-2007 at 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt
Do you know aboutnthe tradition behind the Altar de muertos? :?:

fdt, are you talking about Dia de los Muertos altars, or the shrines and altars we see in so many places?

I was talking about the Altar de Muertos wich is comming up in a couple of weeks.

Eli - 10-20-2007 at 09:11 AM

O.k., I may have figured out something very simple today. If so, than you can see the tiny Alters I have been creating over the last couple of years:

http://picasaweb.google.com/SaradeLaVos/LosNichos

Natalie Ann - 10-20-2007 at 10:17 AM

Thanks so much Sara (Eli) for linking us to your marvelous art. As you know, I'm a big fan of your work... really enjoyed seeing this display. Thank you so much.

To share with others, here's an piece for my altar which was made for me especially by Sara. A nena comal:

nena-comal.jpg - 50kB

Natalie Ann - 10-20-2007 at 10:27 AM

Diane - I adore the little grotto on the way to your dump. Like the one in Gonzaga but different - it's the simplicity that I love.... that and the trash.

I'm really impressed with all those photos, Mango... and I especially like the skulls, and also that photo from Chiapas.

I even find quite interesting those little mummies posted by Igor. Kinda creepy how they came to be, but I'd like to see that exhibit in person one day.

Skipjack Joe - 10-20-2007 at 11:17 AM

I was just trying to give something for Diane to sleep on last night.

toneart - 10-20-2007 at 12:23 PM

I have been to the mummy museum in Guanajuato. The mummies are not easy to look at. It struck me as to how many were children. Many were in contemporary dress which was really disturbing. Several years ago, Werner Herzog made a vampire movie called "Nosferatu". (Dracula). When the titles rolled in the beginning and at the end, the cameras were panning that mummy museum.

Eli, your alter art is wonderful. Here, in my other hometown...Nevada City, CA., we have an annual alter art show. I would also like to know more about your stained (& fused?) glass art. Your prolific work in multi-media is awe inspiring.

Regarding Mango's photo of "el Perrocio"(sp?)....the Gothic cathedral in San Miguel de Allende was designed by the Spanish architect, Gaudi. His work, mostly seen in Catalan, is very bizarre. During the Festival de San Miguel, they close off "El Jardin"...the central plaza, and let the bulls run 'round and 'round the plaza. Any idiot who wants can run with them, just like Pamplona. I climbed the wrought-iron fence in front of the cathedral and watched. An American got gored right in front of me. I guess they always wear white shirts because the blood looks so pretty with a white background.

Paulina - 10-20-2007 at 12:28 PM

Sara,
I like those very much, specially the one with Don Jimmy's book cover hanging on the wall of the shrine. I also like the way some seem to be in box form with hinges, so that they can be closed for safe keeping. (If I am seeing it correctly). One question, what is the correct name for the little charms that you are using? I have a "miracle chair" at my home that I bought from a now closed art gallery in Cantu. It is covered with these little miracle charms, with a devil painted on the seat cushion. I would love to be able to find these charms online here in the states.
Thank you for sharing your photos.
P<*)))><
Another question, did you make the skeletons and little forms you used in your displays?

Mango - 10-20-2007 at 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann[/i}

I'm really impressed with all those photos, Mango... and I especially like the skulls, and also that photo from Chiapas.

Thanks, I'm glad everyone liked the photos. They were a wee bit off topic as not really "altars"

I'll try to resize and post some photos of small altars I have this weekend. Unfortunately most of my good Dia de los Muertos photos are on slide film and located up north in the states.

woody with a view - 10-20-2007 at 06:35 PM

small shrine on the road to "spot x". we always leave a couple candles and loose pesos for the ranchers to buy more candles (or whatever) when they come by to leave their own offerings.

DSC_0009 (Small) (Small).JPG - 46kB

Paula - 10-20-2007 at 07:03 PM

Sara, the nichos are very beautiful...

Don Alley - 10-20-2007 at 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann

I notice Don might be one of my kind... I do love to walk in cemetaries, especially at dawn. Old habit from my youth. Enjoyed the photo, thanks Don.

I am descended from Fish.

The grave was my great grandparents, with my mother and grandmother buried next to them. Phoenix Pioneer Cemetary, near Medford, Oregon.

In the Maneadero Cemetary

bajabound2005 - 10-21-2007 at 08:20 AM

This was someone's shrine last year during Day of the Dead...Bud Lite - no wonder he's dead.

bud lite.JPG - 11kB

Eli - 10-21-2007 at 08:37 AM

First off, there is so much to comment about on this thread. I just Love the Iconic Art represented here. The comments it has evoked. A great thread I think!

Well.......... Maybe with the exception of the children dug up and put on display, I don't think that museum was created with love and reverence for the departed, but than again what do I know. I don't always get all art, no one does.

So far, I have to go with the little shrine on the way to the Asuncion dump is my favorite, yep, I never seen that one and it sure is sweet and full of reverence for the Virgin.

Nena, you have the "Coqueta Lupe" because you "get"what she is about and deserve her. I am so glad she found a home with you. I look forward to your reaction to the Gallery this year, the collection has really grown since you were last there.

And Nena, Paula, Paulina Toneart, thank you for your most positive response to my little shrines, your comments inspire me.

Paulina, the charms that you refer to are simply called Milagro's. So far I have gotten my best deals buying them from the tiniest little old Santista who sells at the entry to the courtyard of the church in Tlacolua Oaxaca.

She is getting up into her 90's now. Whenever I arrive we giggle at the good fortune that she (and me) are still there. She always offers me a big smile, a hug and a chair. She pulls out the box where the Milagro charms are all mixed up in little bags. I sort thru them, count them, grab a piece of paper from another box, and wrap them and tell her what I owe her give her a big hug and muchos thank you's and I am on my way for another season of play.

This year I took her a wooden cross with a collage I created of the Virgin Guadalupe and some Milagros, glitter and siquienes that I have been experimenting with this season, they are real fun to create.

The unfinished crosses like the boxes that I use for the nichos, I buy pretty wholesale in D.F., same neighborhood where I can find the images I like to use and all kinds of collage play stuff. It is down by the Zocolo.

Also, I sell the Milagros, other trinkets and the unfinished boxes in my gallery. Besides I have a few boxes of my private collection of collage materials in my studio, I really am greedy about the stuff, can never seem to get enough.

Oh, and no, I didn't create the little wooden calaca guy reading the book, who represents My Dad. I bought him on the street here in Oaxaca. At the gallery, I have a collection of these little wood calacas playing all kinds of musical instruments, along with a pretty nice collection of Day of the Dead Art.

You know; I will never forget the Ol Man quietly sitting on the bench facing the Dia de Muerto Alter I had set up in the Gallery the day it opened, Nov 1st. Dia de Los Angelitos. He knew he was on his way out, and he sat there quietly eating a homemade oatmeal cookie snatched from the alter, visiting with My dear departed Prof. Angel and Don Santo who were represented along with Frida and Diego Rievera on my alter that year.

The little Alter box I created for my Dad was done the next year after he passed on and of course included in the next alter. I hope I am fortunate enough to someday join him there.

All of the little alter box nichos with the exception of the Aztec Lovers and La Batia were created as gifts for people I love and respect. I give way to much value to the work that went into them to sell them the for money. And yes, Paulina, you are correct, they are in hinged boxes that can be closed if one should want to.

Toneart, I assume that you are referring to the "stained glass" around one of the mermaids that I painted. It is not real, but a photo frame I found in a computer program. Actually those mermaids are painted on the interior of old thrown out roof tiles.

I did do a couple of stain glass mosaics on the wooden crosses this year. One is for sale in the gallery, the other I gave to a friend. I hope to do a lot more mosaics this year. And collages, and nichos, and paintings and paper mache sculptures and learn how to do glass fusion.

I have a friend who is experimenting in glass fusion now and I hope to have some of her work in the gallery in the next year or so. It is after all my dream to dedicate the rest of my life to learning art. And most of my art is some sort of Iconic Expression, that is what inspires me most to do.

Is it fair...?

djh - 10-21-2007 at 09:47 AM

to post our own personal little shrines... we have a couple human oddities in our Idaho home.... momentos and artifacts from our own travels, childhoods, and magic moments and discoveries.... ?

Paula - 10-21-2007 at 01:21 PM

djh,

It seems fair-- and very interesting-- to me.

Eli - 10-21-2007 at 01:38 PM

Sure, I am curious, why not? A personal shrine sure seems valid tp me, if it is from your heart. But then again, consider the source this advise is coming from, jeje.

Paulina - 10-21-2007 at 02:08 PM

This alter was made at the local rural school in Punta Banda in memory of a very dear man, Bill Y., who was the school's Santa Claus every year until he was taken in an auto accident.

One of my favorite photos

bajajudy - 10-21-2007 at 03:28 PM

It is reputed that you can see the Pacific and SOC from this shrine.

bothseas.jpg - 7kB

Pancho's

bajajudy - 10-21-2007 at 03:29 PM

In San Raphael

raphael1.jpg - 25kB

Unadorned Tropic of Cancer

bajajudy - 10-21-2007 at 03:31 PM

tropiccancer.jpg - 19kB

Another Tropic of Cancer

bajajudy - 10-21-2007 at 03:31 PM

tofc.jpg - 17kB

The Palms

bajajudy - 10-21-2007 at 03:32 PM

palms.jpg - 20kB

Para Guadalupe .......

tortuga - 10-21-2007 at 05:44 PM

..... in Santiago .

mexico may 2007392.JPG - 47kB

Descanso de Hector

tortuga - 10-21-2007 at 05:48 PM

a monument for a fallen truck driver on highway one . There was a lot of work done to honor this person

mexico may 2007707.JPG - 49kB

Eli - 10-21-2007 at 08:24 PM

Here is a link to a few years of the Alter Table at Galeria Los Angeles.

http://picasaweb.google.com/SaradeLaVos/LosAngelesAlterTable

windgrrl - 10-21-2007 at 09:12 PM

The faithful keep a candle lit at night - you can look up to the top of the hill where this shrine is set and see a soft glow at night.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/jgyorkos/PICT0118.jpg[/url]

[Edited on 10-22-2007 by windgrrl]

Skipjack Joe - 10-22-2007 at 12:02 AM

Windgirl,

If you edit your post and use this URL your image will display properly:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/jgyorkos/PICT0118.jp...

On Bahia Concepcion

amir - 10-22-2007 at 06:33 AM

Everyone has seen this one:

MXAL-3-Bahia-Concepcon-for-.jpg - 25kB

windgrrl - 10-22-2007 at 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Windgirl,

If you edit your post and use this URL your image will display properly:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/jgyorkos/PICT0118.jp...

Thank you.

Boshvideo - 10-22-2007 at 04:51 PM

Very kind gesture Woodman.

Gnome-ad - 10-22-2007 at 06:50 PM

Came late to this thread and have no altars to offer, but have enjoyed reviewing all the posts and wonderful pictures and artistic offerings.

MarkR. - 8-2-2009 at 12:12 PM

Resurrecting a great old thread here -- I wanted to add two shrines from our trip in July.

Between La Paz and Cuidad Constitucion

Just south of Ensenada.

Another of the most original shrines we saw but didn’t get a picture of was also between La Paz and Cuidad Constitucion -- more on the La Paz side -- it was a, probably, 6 foot white concrete cardon. Does anyone know it and have a picture?

Cypress - 8-2-2009 at 01:33 PM

Those little shrines are great, you can light a candle for a departed friend. You can say a prayer for yourself and those that have passed over.

At the Mission San Ignacio

tripledigitken - 8-2-2009 at 04:38 PM

BAJACAT - 8-2-2009 at 09:20 PM

SHRINE IN SAN FELIPE
CLOSE TO THE LIGHT HOUSE

lingililingili - 8-3-2009 at 08:31 AM

One of my favorites traveling down Hwy 1.

Hector_roadside_memorial_Nov7_2008.jpg - 40kB

vandenberg - 8-3-2009 at 10:49 AM

Zacatecas, on top of the hill.

slimshady - 8-3-2009 at 12:10 PM

If they could make the headlights light up on Hector's memorial that would be awesome.

roadside shrines

stimbo - 8-25-2009 at 08:39 AM

A few more shrines to ponder.....

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk175/js4x5photo/Concepti...

Natalie Ann - 8-25-2009 at 08:55 AM

Fun for this thread to wake up again... but then I do love altars.

Here's one just outside La Paz:

Nena

Natalie Ann - 8-25-2009 at 08:58 AM

On the road to Bahia Muertos:

Nena

Natalie Ann - 8-25-2009 at 09:01 AM

One of my small favorites, also on the road to Muertos:

Nena

Conception Bay shrine

Pompano - 8-25-2009 at 09:03 AM

Natalie Ann - 8-25-2009 at 09:23 AM

Pompano - I believe the second photo I posted in this thread (page 1)
is the inside of the little shrine you show being built.

nena

Pompano - 8-25-2009 at 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann
Pompano - I believe the second photo I posted in this thread (page 1)
is the inside of the little shrine you show being built.

nena

Sure looks like it, Nena. Nice.

oh..and those hombres are not building that bay shrine, they just repaint it every year. Always fun to see what color the current year brings.

[Edited on 8-25-2009 by Pompano]

2005

tripledigitken - 8-25-2009 at 09:33 AM

Interesting to see the changes............

Dos más

stimbo - 8-25-2009 at 01:02 PM

Cypress - 8-25-2009 at 01:20 PM

There's one back in the moutains west of Mulege, about where you start heading back towards San Jos'e de Magdalena. In the vicinity of Los Pozos. Neat! Anybody got a picture? :?:

vgabndo - 8-25-2009 at 01:42 PM

The "half way" shrine on the San Nicolas' road. Km 9.

more baja 3 056 (Medium) (Small).jpg - 42kB

vgabndo - 8-25-2009 at 01:48 PM

Cathy remembering her sister at this shrine chiseled out of the rock face and finished in brick. Same as above.

more baja 3 054 (Small).jpg - 23kB