51±¬ÁϹÙÍø

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

Sacred Lives, Stolen Identities: The Power of Belongings is an immersive, interdisciplinary installation that explores the emotional and psychological dimensions of Mexican migrant experiences in the United States. Rooted in my own familial history and cultural ties to immigration, the work engages with themes of memory, identity, and belonging. Through a blend of photography, video, and interactive media, the installation presents personal objects—photographs, religious items, keepsakes—offered by four migrants as symbols of resilience and emotional connection to their cultural roots.

Set within a black box environment, the installation includes four 7x12-inch black-and-white photographs framed in custom plywood boxes with doors viewers can open, four 32-inch screens showing interviews in Spanish with English subtitles, and four 10-inch tablets displaying close-up videos of the migrants' eyes. These layered elements create an intimate narrative space where viewers are invited to reflect on identity not as something defined by documents or appearances, but by memory, emotion, and human experience. By focusing on sacred objects and the act of storytelling, the work seeks to preserve personal histories while challenging reductive views of migrant identity. Ultimately, it offers a space of empathy, encouraging deeper understanding of the migrant journey beyond political discourse.

What made you choose to come to 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø for your MFA?

I chose to pursue my MFA at 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø because of its strong commitment to socially engaged art and interdisciplinary practice. I was drawn to the program’s emphasis on conceptual development, critical dialogue, and community engagement—values that align closely with my own artistic goals. As someone exploring themes of migration, identity, and cultural memory, I wanted a space where I could deeply investigate these ideas through both research and material experimentation. 51±¬ÁϹÙÍø's faculty and visiting artist network, along with the intimate, supportive studio environment, offered a unique platform to push the boundaries of my practice while remaining grounded in personal narrative. The program’s flexibility and encouragement of cross-media ex