SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Marcos “Erre” Ramirez, a world-renowned artist from the Tijuana-San Diego region, is opening an art exhibit called “Mirage, The Order of Factors and Risks of Illusion” in the border community of San Ysidro, California.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is a three-story tall tower that symbolizes migrants’ strata and socio-economic background when crossing the border.
At the bottom are large cylinders that stand for poor immigrants who have to enter the U.S. through drains, while the top of the tower has chairs with a nice view enjoyed by migrants with money.
“Erre’s technique is not painting or drawing, it is building,” said Francisco Morales, director of the Front Arte & Cultura gallery.
Some of the exhibits include historical flags from both Mexico and the U.S., a scorched bridge that ties both nations, and an eight-minute video that shows a cartel hitman killing a rival.
The guns used in the video were cut up and turned into other pieces of art.
Some of the art created by Marcos “Erre” Ramirez on exhibit in San Ysidro, California, including a replica of the border barrier, guns that have been cut up and a three-story-tall tower. (Salvador Rivera/Border Report)
“It’s the realities of the political condition of the migration between the countries and also what the people can expect when they cross the border,” Ramirez said
One of the other unique features is a replica of the actual border barrier found in many areas between San Diego and Tijuana.
As you walk by it, you can see a reflection behind the metal bollards in large letters that spell out “Mirage.”
“You’re able to see yourself, then you will have to decide if the American dream is really there, is it worth to come to the United States or is it better to stay in your own country?” Ramirez said.
The exhibition runs through Sept. 7.