On this Day of the Dead (2025) my thoughts are with those that went missing while seeking better life conditions. Over the past decade more than 5,000 people have passed away in the region of the Arizona desert. Today, more than ever questions around migration arise across the world. While politicians, governments and institutions can’t agree on a plan to address the migration behavior, the humanitarian crisis continues rising and the tragedy perpetuates.
This image represents the materialized death that can be found in the borderland between Mexico and the United States. The presence of cempasúchil flowers in the ground and an Aztec resonating geometry brings attention to the origins of the Day of the Dead. A gate to Mictlan (the Aztec underworld) is what is depicted in this image, a path to the border, a walk towards death. The building is a memorial and a warning sign, an expression of memory and danger.
I hope all who have passed away during their journey are able to return home tonight.