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Zozobra
Zozobra
Zozobra

Zozobra

Dateca. 1950
Mediumgelatin silver print
Dimensions7 3/8 × 9 1/2 in. (18.7 × 24.2 cm)
ClassificationsPhotography
Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of John Airy
Terms
    Object numberPA1982.181.736
    DescriptionA man holds a rope to pull up an arm of the large marionette, Zozobra (Old Man Gloom), after it is installed in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The puppet is installed at the top of a tall concrete staircase. Both of the arms of Zozobra are lifted and its mouth is open. A typed inscription on the back of the photograph reads, "Zozobra (Old Man Gloom) towering over Santa Fe, New Mexico, heralds the start of another Fiesta -- days of music, dancing and fun-making. The burning of Zozobra signals the start of the festival, said to be the oldest community celebration in the United States. It commemorates the re-conquest of New Mexico by Don Diego de Vargas in 1692".
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