There’s a unique kind of genius born from struggle; a creativity sharpened by necessity and resilience shaped by survival. For immigrants, especially those who arrive with little more than hope and hustle, creativity isn’t just self-expression, it’s a strategy. It’s how we feed our families, how we build community, how we leave our mark.

This spirit — the ability to turn anything into opportunity, to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary — is what inspired Elevar La Cultura. At its center stands a monumental Mayan pyramid, not made of stone, but of ice coolers, the same coolers used by street vendors across the country. This large-scale 20ft tall immersive installation by Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez infuses cultural textiles, spiritual objects, and mural work. Blending ancestral symbolism with contemporary survival tools, the installation reclaims space and uplifts the beauty, resilience, and cultural power of marginalized communities. These coolers carry more than food or flowers. They carry stories. They carry legacy. They carry dreams.

Follow the movement as Elevar La Cultura travels to sanctuary cities across the nation.

This installation was made possible thanks to The Shed’s 2025 Open Call, as well as Powerhouse Art’s Artist Subsidy Program.

Explore the exhibiton below