UPCOMING ART INSTALLATION • PARA LA COMUNIDAD DE SAN ANTONIO
This Día de los Muertos, pick up the line. Your words become energy, and the wind is ready to listen.
¿Qué es un teléfono del viento?
Originating in Japan as the kaze no denwa, a wind phone is an unconnected telephone meant for communicating with loved ones who have passed. It is a tool for the universal experience of grief and a way to actively work with our loss to find healing.
Here is how to use it →
It is an unplugged, phone set within an organic, vibrant art installation.
You pick up the receiver. You speak directly to a loved one who has passed on. It is only you and the wind. No recording, no third party.
The line isn’t active, so your words aren’t carried by traditional wires. Instead, they are carried by the wind and your own energy.
It’s a moment to process, to remember, and to connect. Habla desde el corazón. (Speak from the heart.)
Why a wind phone for Día de los Muertos? Because this is the time of year when we actively invite our ancestors back to sit with us. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of continued connection. The Telefono del viento simply gives us a physical receiver to pick up when we want to speak to them directly.
Who created and funded this? This is a 100% independent passion project. It was designed, built, and self-funded by a 29-year-old Hispanic artist who grew up in downtown San Antonio. Having attended the Dia de los Muertos celebrations at Pearl for years, she created this installation as a love letter to her community—a free, accessible space for anyone who needs to make a call to the other side.
A Japanese Concept, A Hispanic Soul The original kaze no denwa was built in Japan as a solitary, quiet place of mourning. Telefono del viento takes that beautiful concept and brings it into the vibrant, collective heartbeat of Hispanic culture. Culturally, we celebrate life alongside death. This isn’t just a phone on a pedestal; it is an immersive art installation designed to feel like a living, breathing space. Inspired by the bold, unapologetic energy of artists like Frida Kahlo, the installation uses rich, earthy textures, organic elements, and deep colors to create a tactile experience. It is designed to feel less like a memorial, and more like a warm, familiar room where you can sit down and talk.
A Note from the Artist Hello, reader. I know sometimes it may be hard to call a passed loved one, but trust me, if you close your eyes and imagine you are just leaving them a voicemail, it changes everything. The pressure drops, and it simply becomes a catch-up session. To show you how natural it can be, here is a transcript of a recent wind phone call of mine:
“Hello my sweet boy, Tyson. We are entering fall, and you know all of the black cat decor makes my heart cry for you! I miss you so much, and I send well wishes from the household. Dad is well, he misses you the most I am sure. Sweet kisses! Love, mom.”
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