The tedious existence of a DREAMer, also known as a DACA recipient, exists in the threshold between documented and undocumented status. This installation creates a series of “portals” in the form of door frames leading toward the “American Dream” arch. Only one portal has a direct physical pathway to the arch, but all the portals are bound by a series of woven threads, creating layered thresholds. The moiré effect at play signifies the varying degrees of distance from the “American Dream.”

Each portal represents a different approach: The DREAMers Portal is a half-fulfilled promise wedged between the documented and undocumented. It frames the “American Dream” arch perfectly but prevents any access to it. The space is small, with little room for movement, evoking a sense of restriction. Although this portal is closest to the arch, it is also the most obstructed. For the DREAMer, the “American Dream” ends before it even begins.

The Undocumented Portal is significantly shorter than the rest, forcing the person experiencing that space to bow upon entry. The space behind the portal is larger, yet still enclosed. After roaming within the space for a while, the viewer is ultimately forced to exit the same way they entered.

The Documented Portal is the only one that has an “exit” into the “American Dream” arch. Upon entering the portal, the viewer cannot immediately see the arch—only after passing the threshold does the arch come into full view.

Each portal is framed with a series of drawings. These drawings hint at the intersection of the various portals and frames, telling the story of the in-between—the slippage from one entrance to the next.

About the artist: There is a unique magic in this place—found in its vast skies, expansive landscapes, and most importantly, in the warmth of its people. Enchanted Matter (EM) seeks to capture this essence, weaving together culture, history, and landscape to inform our design process through the stories of the people who have shaped these environments.

Enchanted Matter is a design research practice looking closely at work (labor + play), myth (story telling + myth making), and edge (territories + immigration). Through their research, they play a role in a larger representational project—one that highlights marginalized identities.

Enchanted Matter (EM) was founded by Carlos Sabogal and Alaa Quraishi in 2022. Drawing on deep roots in New Mexico, Carlos and Alaa first collaborated at the University of New Mexico during their architecture studies. Their advanced degrees—Alaa from MIT and Carlos from the California College of the Arts—brought insights from East and West Coast, inspiring them to elevate the often- overlooked contributions of the Southwest.

Alaa Quraishi, now a Visiting Assistant Professor at UNM, focuses her research on non-monetary feminine labor and marginalized voices. Her work draws on her diverse identity as a Muslim, Lebanese, Indian woman, and New Mexican, bringing fresh perspectives to her practice.

Carlos Sabogal is a computational designer who has contributed to large-scale art and architectural projects. His home fabrication studio allows him to experiment with materials and design through cultural, environmental, and socio-political lenses, informed by his experience as a Colombian immigrant.