Alberto Garcia de la Puente “Construction Blocks” – 2026 Winner

Alberto Garcia de la Puente – “Construction Blocks”

Geneva, NY

Division II: 19–22 Years Old

Sixty-three recycled block toys, iron flower wire, salt

This toy was designed to raise awareness through play about the profound impact natural disasters are having on childhoods today. I grew up in Costa Rica, where I witnessed an increasing number of environmental imbalances. From El Niño sparking uncontrollable fires that forced us to evacuate or defend our homes, to La Niña unleashing relentless rains, tropical storms, hurricanes, and floods of devastating magnitude, these experiences have deeply shaped my perspective.

I believe that objects and spaces carry emotional residues of past human interactions. I hammered, burned, rotted, drilled, and broke the blocks as continued acts of destruction. Yet, despite their transformation, the blocks remain functional, prompting new forms of play with what remains. It challenges viewers to reflect on innocence, resilience, fragility, and the ways children continue to build lives amid environmental crises.