, interviewed many refugees for the project and was inspired by their haunting stories to create an experience that would allow viewers to be a part of a chaotic and heart-wrenching scene, a common one for many who attempt the journey into America by foot.
When the alarms go off, guests enter a room filled with dirt and sand underneath their bare feet. They are met by a person who simply assists with handling the virtual reality equipment and they are handed a backpack to wear throughout the chilling six-minute experience. When the goggles are worn, viewers are transported to an arid desert setting and come face-to-face with a group of immigrant adults and children who are wailing in exhaustion from their long journey.
Once guests have taken part in the unnerving experience, they leave the room and are led to a quiet dark hall with digital images of real-life people such as Lina, 53, from Guatemala, Luis, 36, from Mexico or Amaru, 20, from El Salvador. Guests are able to spend a couple of minutes reading through each immigrant’s stories and learn about the sacrifices and risks they took for the possibility of better lives. Each refugee has their own narrative.