Gudrun Hasle's “Demonstrating Dreams” banners are on display at the West Chicago City Museum.

In her project, she worked with subjects to create a colorful banner describing their ambitions, goals and dreams. Some choices included a new car, a lover, world peace, a sister and "to be ordinary."

Hasle first had a personal discussion with the subject, then the individual chose materials and colors for the banners. Then, using donated materials, Hasle sowed and construct the banners.

"She proposed to do a project that was very community-oriented and really involved the bulk of the community," said West Chicago artist Anni Holm. "Her project is about dreams we have and things we really want in life."

"I try to map the American dream," Hasle said. "I am interested in how we live."

The banners were placed on display after Hasle and West Chicago residents carried the pieces in a parade on Main Street. Hasle's collection of 51 colorful banners will remain on display at the museum through October.

The project marks Hasle's first artist residency in the United States.

Hasle's conceptual art creations, which include everything from photography to video and embroidery, paint a portrait of her life's triumphs and tribulations. Much of the 28-year-old, Danish-born artist's work chronicles her lifelong battle with dyslexia.

She was recommended by the Danish Art Council, which chose her from 12 artists to take part in an artist-in-residency program sponsored by ArtIncorporators.

Art expression has served as a remedy for Hasle, who battled dyslexia most of her life but was not diagnosed until age 18. Hasle can't read but must instead remember sounds.

As a child, Hasle was treated for depression at a mental institution. She said that at times the learning disability can be devastating socially.

"I remember when I first came to the United States," said Hasle, who has a master's degree from the Sunen Art Academy in Sunen, Denmark. "I (went) to New York and everything was texted. Even when you walk across the street it says 'walk.' For me it's really hard. I have to ask people because I can't read the signs. I have to ask about everything.

"It's kind of like being an immigrant from Mexico (who) can't speak English. You can communicate a little bit, but you can't find your way on your own."

Instead of letting dyslexia cripple her life, Hasle began to speak openly about her learning disability, and also participated in art residency projects designed to explore social issues in her native Copenhagen. One example is a video that shows her struggle to install a simple computer program that will help her deal with her dyslexia. Sometimes she will collaborate with others to design a project relaying ideas verbally to a neighbor or friend who will translate them to poetry or song.

"I just found being open about dyslexia is much easier," Hasle said.