Lost in Translation
🎨 Artist Statement
Overview
In this interactive digital piece, I aim to shed light on the deeply personal and often painful experience of name alteration faced by countless immigrants upon their arrival in the United States.
This work is a commentary on the historical and ongoing practice where immigration officers, due to language barriers, misunderstandings, or disregard for cultural significance, have altered the names of immigrants, effectively erasing a piece of their identity.
Visitors to the gallery are invited to scan a QR code and engage with a form from the fictitious U.S. Department of Assimilation Services. Upon submitting their name, they receive a newly assigned name—a misspelled version of their original submission. This process mirrors the disorienting and alienating experiences of many immigrants, who have seen their names, and with them, parts of their heritage and identity, altered or lost.
"This piece is not merely a critique but an invitation for empathy and reflection. By confronting visitors with the casual, almost bureaucratic stripping away of their names, I hope to foster a deeper understanding of the emotional and cultural impact of this practice. The piece challenges viewers to consider the significance of names, the weight they carry, and the stories they tell. It also serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of those who, despite such erasures, have built and enriched the diverse tapestry of American society.
This work stands as a testament to the importance of preserving and respecting personal identities in the face of systemic forces that seek to homogenize and erase. It is a call to recognize and honor the individuality and humanity of every person, starting with the simple but profound act of acknowledging their true names.
View the Piece
On View
Roots of Passage: Artists Examine Immigration
Presented by Atlantic Works Gallery with works by members and selected guests.
Exhibition Dates: July 12 - August 17, 2024