Union Gallery
Current Show: MEXICAN HERITAGE: Costumes, Masks, and Photos
Joana Ramírez in a Chinelo dance costume Carnival tradition. The Chinelos are people from the state of Morelos whose dance is known as “the jump” dance dressed in costumes. September 18, 2022. Port Richmond, Staten Island. NY. Copyright 2022 Irma Bohórquez-Geisler, all rights reserved.
MEXICAN HERITAGE: Costumes, Masks, and Photos, a solo photography exhibition by Staten Island artist Irma Bohórquez-Geisler, D.Phil., opens September 15 at Wagner College’s Union Hall Gallery.
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.
Maurilia Sánchez Carnaval Mixteco costume during the Staten Island Día de Muertos. The Carnaval Mixteco dance is traditional from San Jerónimo, Xayacatlán, Puebla. October 23, 2016. West Brighton, Staten Island. NY. Copyright 2016 Irma Bohórquez-Geisler, all rights reserved.
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.
It is open Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. through Nov. 7 at the gallery, main floor of Union Hall, Wagner College, One Campus Road, with an opening reception 5:30 to 8:00 Sept. 19. It is free and open to the public.
Ana Romero making pan de muerto (bread for the deceased) for the Day of the Dead in her kitchen. October 30, 2021. Port Richmond, Staten Island. NY. Copyright 2021 Irma Bohórquez-Geisler, all rights reserved.
Gallery Director: Jenny Toth
Email: jtoth@wagner.edu
Phone: (718)-420-4132 or (718)-390-3192
| Union Gallery Address: Union Hall (Main Floor), Wagner College One Campus Road Staten Island, NY 10301Gallery Hours: Monday-Sunday 7am -10:30pm |
Spotlight Gallery Address: Horrmann Library, Wagner College One Campus Road Staten Island, NY 10301Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9am -5pm |