This project expands upon the poem, Storefront, as it visualizes the sensory perspective of a liquor store on a corner, as it witnesses substance abuse and gun violence.
Furthermore, I aim to represent my experiences growing up in spaces often described as “undesirable” and “dangerous.” One of my main intentions with this project is to begin a dialogue about the physical aspect of memories by exploring the memories I have associated with a particular location I grew up seeing every day. Memories are fluid and not restricted to just an individual perspective. For that reason, I include my brother’s name on the USPS mailing label as a way to honor his memories of the liquor store.
Storefront, 2018
on the corner store of pro and washington out east i see everything hear everything smell and feel everything when gunshots rang out two houses down someone dead on the ground blood all around i saw everything heard everything smelled and felt everything when it's after school a one on one can end up someone laid down causing a ruckus all around i saw them heard them when your dad is out of work in need of a sip someone should sit down bottles all around i got him see him hear him feel him everyday what you don't understand is i am no food desert i provide all around see, hear, smell, and feel everything everyday
maria montes arvizu 