My country is not a suitcase, and I am not a traveler
Souvenirs: New York Icons, Storefront for Art and Architecture, New York City, 2017
My country is not a suitcase, and I am not a traveler was part of the exhibition Souvenirs: New New York Icons, which took place at Storefront for Art and Architecture in 2017. The exhibition aimed to challenge traditional symbols of collective imagination by commissioning artists, architects, and designers to create contemporary souvenirs that reflect the evolving values of urban life—moving beyond mere aesthetics and commercialization. Each participant was assigned a specific neighborhood, area, or geographic boundary within New York City's five boroughs to inspire their work. Assigned to the borough of Queens, I drew inspiration from the architectural forms of the 1939 World Fair, particularly the iconic Trylon and Perisphere structures, located near the edges of Community Board 8. The imagery of the globe (the Perisphere) and the obelisk (the Trylon) was especially fitting, serving as a symbol of both the historical significance of the World Fair and the cultural diversity that defines Queens today. Within my sculpture, a reinterpretation of the 1939 World Fair globe, I created a "snow globe" that draws on the familiar language of tourist souvenirs. However, instead of celebrating the past, this piece honors immigration and the rich diversity it has brought to Queens. Inside the globe, I embedded floating trinkets—suitcases, clothing, planes, boats, and figures of various colors—each representing the movement, objects, and lives that immigration carries with it.