A large-scale community altar titled "Twenty Petal Flower" is opening in Flatiron's North Plaza in Manhattan ahead of Día de Muertos. The installation will welcome visitors from October 26 through November 3.
Inspired by the Mexican marigold, known as cempasúchil in Spanish and cempōhualxōchitl in Nahuatl, the tiered work takes the flower's form. Visitors can add offerings, candles, gifts and keepsakes in memory of loved ones, reflecting the tradition of marigolds guiding the spirits of the departed back to their families.
Artisans from Mestiz Studio, based in San Miguel de Allende, created the woven structure in partnership with Brooklyn's Powerhouse Arts. The project also recognizes the people involved in the marigold's journey from cultivation to altar.
By bringing a cultural tradition into a shared urban setting, the installation shows how public art can help communities carry heritage forward across generations.
