The installation Mercado confronts the ongoing exploitation of land and labor in Central and South America by large corporations driven solely by profit. It exposes how these companies overproduce goods for export while grossly underpaying the very workers who cultivate them. In doing so, they funnel wealth to top executives, disregarding the laborers who toil in harsh conditions for meager wages.

At its core, Mercado weaves together the stories, struggles, and resilience of individuals and cultures. The convergence of these diverse threads sets in motion a powerful butterfly effect—where chance encounters spark enduring friendships and subtly reshape the physical and social landscapes of our world. Rather than viewing the work with detached criticality, the installation invites us to embrace the transformative power of human connection and to recognize its potential to rewrite the narratives of exploitation and inequality. In this light, labor—particularly immigrant labor—emerges not only as the backbone of entire industries, but as a vital force sustaining communities and cultures across borders.