This past Saturday I had a date with Tari, which was one of the most enjoyable days I have spent in some time. I awoke to steadily falling snow, and several inches of accumulation - so I bundled up, wrestled the big boots and headed out to the train. Tari met me there and we stopped for some coffee and breakfast in Lincoln Square. From there we commuted over to Pilsen, where the National Museum of Mexican Art is located.

We went to catch the Dia de los Muertos exhibit before it closed for the year, and as always - it was a visual, emotional and energetic adventure. The offrendas were diverse; they were joyous and sad...and of course there were lots of fantastic Catrinas (which, for some reason, I adore).

From there we viewed the permanent collection, which actually included the most impactful piece of our visit. It was a mural named "Ancient Memories" by Mario Castillo. I will paste in an image of the mural here, but I cannot do this work justice. You cannot tell that there are layers upon layers of translucent images here - many of which are connected by power points (like the hearts or eyes)of creatures and beings which make up this shared history. Throughout the painting are ribbons of light or life force, connecting everything and over it all - glossy skulls, invisible save only in the right flash of light, dance at the completion of life's cycle.



My favorite part of the mural was an image of a "Universal Mother" whose lovely, violet-diaphanous form held within it myriad spiral galaxies, stars, planets and mysteries. I wish I could find a clear image of her to share here, but this is what you get...



On an interesting note, this artist works in semen acrylics so that a part of him is always within each work he creates. Certainly this piece is charged...you can feel it. I was almost knocked back a step when I turned to take this in for the first time. If you're doing Feri work, I recommend this mural especially...if it is not a paean to the fabric of love herself, then I don't know what is.

If you live in Chicago or are visiting and are able, I highly recommend stopping by to take this in. The museum is always free and is within easy walking distance of the Pink Line.

After a great day of art, Tari and I chose to walk over a mile in the snow. It was too beautiful out there not to indulge, and I had fun acting like a six year old, catching snowflakes on my tongue and lashes while piping out Vince Guaraldi holiday carols at the top of my lungs. Tari didn't even pretend not to know me...can you believe it?

Once fully frozen and a bit foot-sore, we headed over to our favorite vegetarian watering hole, The Chicago Diner. Sadly the food and the service were VERY lacking (excepting the Miso-based french onion soup) and Tari and I decided that we need to try out some other veggie restaurants in town. There are quite a few interesting prospects...I'll let you know if we find any treasures.