“Para Morir Nacimos” We Were Born to Die
"We Were Born to Die" is an immersive altar installation for Día de los Muertos that blends visual beauty, spiritual symbolism, and emotional reflection. At its heart is a hand-painted sawdust carpet, created spoon by spoon on a base of craft paper, layered with vibrant colors and traditional imagery. The altar installation incorporates dyed sawdust, flowers, candles, papier-mâché figures, and symbolic elements to reflect the essence of Mexican culture and its relationship to life, death, and memory.
Virginia Gutierrez-Porter
Virginia Gutierrez-Porter Villegas is a multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer, and art educator whose work bridges cultural tradition with contemporary expression. Born and raised in Mexico City, her artistic foundation was shaped by the vibrant colors, textures, and spiritual richness of Mexico’s heritage. Now based in Palo Alto, California, she brings over 20 years of experience to her work exploring visual storytelling across borders and generations.
Her art and installations celebrate the beauty of impermanence through handcrafted materials, such as dyed sawdust, wood, florals, and light, creating installations that are as fleeting as they are powerful. At the heart of her practice is a yearly altar titled "Para Morir Nacimos" ("We Were Born to Die"), an evolving Day of the Dead installation that invites communities to reflect on life, memory, and shared humanity. The altar has been exhibited at the San Francisco Symphony, the Palo Alto Art Center, and the Mexican Consulate in San Jose, where it has moved audiences of all backgrounds.
Taryn Curiel
Taryn Curiel is a Mexican artist with over 20 years of experience creating work that emerges directly from her inner world. Her practice focuses on translating personal thoughts, emotions, and reflections into visual form—through installations, murals, and mixed media pieces.
Each work is an intimate exploration of her inner landscape, offering a quiet yet powerful expression of what often goes unseen or unspoken.
Deeply rooted in authenticity, Taryn’s art invites connection and contemplation, blending personal narrative with universal themes of identity, emotion, and transformation.
Creation Process:
The carpet image is first freehand drawn onto large craft paper. Colored sawdust is then applied by hand using small spoons, layer by layer. This slow, intricate process is both visually engaging and meditative. Though brief, this process can be open to the public to observe, adding a performative element to the work.
Community Engagement:
The installation includes an interactive element: a reflection area where visitors can write messages or names of their deceased loved ones on ribbons. These can be tied to a dedicated remembrance wall, making the altar a living, evolving tribute. This personal engagement allows viewers to feel deeply connected, regardless of their cultural or spiritual background.
Cultural & Emotional Goals:
Rooted in Mexican tradition, the altar invites all viewers to reflect on impermanence, shared humanity, and the emotional experience of remembering those who have passed. It speaks to children, adults, and elders alike, transcending race, religion, and language. "We Were Born to Die" becomes a space not only of loss, but of connection, celebration, and healing.
