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.

428 - Weber - Weber

To help my children who are in the United States pay their debt to the coyote.
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

428 - Weber - Weber

Peace and social justice in the world. Peace with God. To win the lottery.
Cuzco, Peru

428 - Weber - Weber

I want to be a policewoman.
Maclovio Rojas, Mexico

428 - Weber - Weber

I wish to live with all my brothers and sisters. I don’t know where they might be.
Andes, Colombia

428 - Weber - Weber

I want to marry an American.
Havana, Cuba

428 - Weber - Weber

To be a chess grand master before I am twenty-six years old.
Havana, Cuba

428 - Weber - Weber

I wish to be a poet.
Havana, Cuba

428 - Weber - Weber

Pistol.
Chiapas, Mexico

428 - Weber - Weber

My dream is to die.
Medellín, Colombia

428 - Weber - Weber

My wish is to study public accounting.
Estelí, Nicaragua

428 - Weber - Weber

To record my first cassette.
Buenos Aires, Argentina

428 - Weber - Weber

Death to imperialism and all forms of exploitation.
León, Nicaragua

428 - Weber - Weber

That my parents smile again.
Medellín, Colombia