“La lotería del sueño americano”[1] is a tribute to the migrant experience and the contradictions that accompany it. Migration is a complex process. The so-called "American Dream" is not a universal promise but a mirage that changes depending on the eyes of the beholder. 

This work utilizes semiology as a tool for contemplation: what may be a familiar symbol to some can hold an entirely different meaning for others. Within this intersection of meanings, I also introduce one of the most significant paradoxes in my life: my freedom. A concept that seduces, yet is rarely granted in its entirety. Through this work, I invite you to question what other words—what other dreams—are shaped by our context. 

This installation creates a space where those unfamiliar with our reality feel like outsiders. Although the work incorporates many Mexican elements, its message extends to the migrant community as a whole. It inverts the dynamics of belonging, allowing those who normally feel included to experience a sense of alienation. 

Being an immigrant is a heroic feat—it is now and has always been. This tribute is a declaration that your story is powerful, that your struggles, pain, and efforts are seen. This work is made for you—to offer you a space that recognizes and celebrates you. 

[1] Artist Note: The title translates to “The Lottery of the American Dream”