From 1992 to 2007 Martín Weber photographed hundreds of Latin Americans, each holding a chalkboard on which he had asked them to “write down a wish or a dream you have.” His goal, he says, was to give his subjects added dimension by allowing the viewer a glimpse of their personal stories. In their brief messages we see evidence of economic and political struggles, of human failings and aspirations, of broken hearts and enduring love.
— Ed.
To help my children who are in the United States pay their debt to the coyote.
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Peace and social justice in the world. Peace with God. To win the lottery.
Cuzco, Peru
I want to be a policewoman.
Maclovio Rojas, Mexico
I wish to live with all my brothers and sisters. I don’t know where they might be.
Andes, Colombia
I want to marry an American.
Havana, Cuba
To be a chess grand master before I am twenty-six years old.
Havana, Cuba
I wish to be a poet.
Havana, Cuba
Pistol.
Chiapas, Mexico
My dream is to die.
Medellín, Colombia
My wish is to study public accounting.
Estelí, Nicaragua
To record my first cassette.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Death to imperialism and all forms of exploitation.
León, Nicaragua
That my parents smile again.
Medellín, Colombia