The designer who helped transform the LEGO La Catrina fan submission into the set arriving on shelves hopes that people around the world will appreciate the celebration it represents.
21372 La Catrina launches on August 1 as the biggest LEGO Day of the Dead set ever. The Mexican celebration, known locally as Día de los Muertos, takes place annually from November 1 to 2.
Many people associate Día de los Muertos with Halloween due to the similar timing and use of imagery connected to death, but the two celebrations have very different meanings.
During a recent roundtable interview which Brick Fanatics attended between fan media and the LEGO Ideas design team, LEGO designer Jim Clayton explained that he hopes the set helps highlight the true spirit of the holiday.
“I hope that really invokes the celebration of life that Día de los Muertos is all about,” he said. “It’s not this more macabre or dark thing that some people might have the impression that it is.”
Unlike Halloween, which has roots in traditions surrounding the changing of seasons and has evolved into a celebration featuring costumes and spooky imagery, Día de los Muertos is a time to celebrate life, remember loved ones, and honour those who have passed away.
La Catrina, the iconic skeletal figure associated with the celebration, began as a piece of political satire created by Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada around 1910 before becoming a cultural symbol in the decades that followed.
“We wanted to uplift the idea of this holiday and have it be authentic to fans in Mexico, but also inform and inspire other people around the globe about this awesome holiday,” Clayton added.
“One of the reasons I think we also have this art element in the dress is that it accomplishes a detail, but it’s also about the love you have for loved ones. These bright colours help bring that joy and celebration.”
The 1,212-piece build is based on a winning LEGO Ideas submission by fan designer yop1172, although the final official set has undergone several changes compared with the original concept, including adjustments to its size, structure and colour scheme.
That colour palette was clearly an important part of the design process, with the LEGO Group using magenta – the closest available LEGO colour – to represent the vibrant pink shades often associated with Mexican culture.
By focusing on the meaning behind the celebration, the design team has made it clear that 21372 La Catrina is not simply a spooky display piece for Halloween. Instead, it is a celebration of Mexican culture, designed to be appreciated all year round.
21372 La Catrina releases on August 1 for £109.99 / $139.99 / €119.99. It is available to pre-order now from LEGO.com.
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