The Haunting Beauty of Mexico City's Island of the Dolls: A Look at Lady Gaga's 'The Dead Dance' Video Shoot
The Island of the Dolls in Mexico City is a haunting place where hundreds of dolls hang from trees, their glass eyes peering down at visitors. This eerie location captured the interest of gothic film director Tim Burton and pop icon Lady Gaga, who chose the island as the setting for their music video collaboration, "The Dead Dance." The video features Lady Gaga among the dolls on the island, situated in the ancient Xochimilco canals of the city, a popular tourist spot.
The island was created by Julian Santana, who began collecting and hanging dolls in 1950 until his passing in 2001. Santana's great-nephew, Juan Santana, now oversees the island with his brothers Cristian and Rogelio. The video shoot for "The Dead Dance" was a well-kept secret, with over 60 people involved in the three-day production that required 18 trajinera canal boats to transport equipment and crew.
Contrary to common belief, Julian Santana's intention in hanging the dolls was not to frighten the living but to ward off the spirit of a young woman who had drowned in the canals. Santana believed that hanging dolls stopped the haunting, leading him to collect over 1,500 dolls during his lifetime. Lady Gaga's video features one of Santana's prized dolls, Agustinita, in a trajinera replica on the island.
Following the release of "The Dead Dance" video, Lady Gaga canceled a concert in Miami due to vocal cord issues, sparking rumors of a "curse of the Xochimilco dolls." Despite the speculation, the Santana family has not experienced any negative effects and has seen an increase in visitors, including Mexican fans eager to see where Lady Gaga filmed her music video.
In conclusion, the Island of the Dolls in Mexico City is a unique and mysterious location that has attracted the attention of artists like Tim Burton and Lady Gaga. The island's history and the story behind the dolls add to its allure, drawing visitors intrigued by its haunting beauty and cultural significance.