Mictlán is the fascinating Mexican underworld. According to Aztec mythology, when people die, whether nobles or commoners, they enter Mictlán and go through a journey of nine levels. The first stage consists of crossing the Apanohuaia river with the help of a hairless dog called Xolotl.

In 1521, a Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan crossed the Pacific for the first time and arrived in the Philippines. The return route, from Manila to Acapulco in Mexico, was discovered in 1565. This was the start of an international trade that linked Mexico, the Philippines, and Spain for centuries.

The ships that made the journey are known as Manila galleons, or Nao de China, because they brought with them the fabled treasures of China. It was a difficult journey, and some perished along the way. When the sailors arrived in Asia, they encountered different cultures, goods, foods, and traditions, leading to profound exchanges.

This Day of the Dead installation is dedicated to the travellers who made this global exchange of goods and ideas possible.