‘Metamorfosis’, por Sonia Orban. Metamorphosis by Sonia Orban. Photo Courtesy MCCLA

The new exhibit at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, “La Llorona: Weeping for the Life and Death of the Mission District,” gives community members, artists, and students an avenue to express their love and grief for their community and the death of its cultural identity.

The exhibit, open from Oct. 15 to Nov. 23, focuses on the rapid gentrification and displacement of local families and artists taking place in the neighborhood.

“I felt that people needed a public place where they could come and mourn for the death of their community, and we are using the celebration to celebrate life and death and to reclaim our culture,” said Martina Ayala, curator of the exhibit.

Forty-two altars will be prepared to recognize the lives of loved ones and ongoing gentrification of the Mission District.

“The system we live in, they give priority to money, so sadly, tradition and culture is pushed to the side, and what remains is empty shells to be filled by newcomers that don’t have much roots, but they have a lot of money,” said Carlos Baron, a performance arts coordinator and college professor at San Francisco State University.

“Although it is Day of the Dead, we want to think about issues that people dealt with when they were alive,” said Baron.

Luis Vasquez Gomez, another local artist, is dedicating his alter, Mad Zillion, to the horrors of gentrification in the Mission and how it is impacting the lives of many locals. Gomez’ interactive piece will allow attendees to write to the mayor or the Planning Commission about their thoughts on the recent changes in the area.

“It is important that we do what we have to do in the present time,” said Gomez.

The other alters are dedicated to loved ones, along with sculptures and other artistic pieces that depict the history of Aztec traditions.

The exhibit will be open to the public through Nov.23. A reception will be held on Day of the Dead, Nov. 2, from 6 –11 p.m. Admission is $5.

For more information visit www.missionculturalcenter.org or call (415) 821-1155