In a fluorescent and joyous show of unity across the border, a set of bright pink seesaws were installed between the United States and Mexico allowing children on either side of the border to bop up and down together along the divide.
The seesaws, anchored to the fence separating the two countries, were designed by University of California Berkeley architecture professor Ronald Rael and San Jose State design professor Virginia San Fratello. The inspiring installation swung into action over the weekend at Sunland Park, New Mexico, which is near El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.
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Photos and videos showed children and adults on both sides of the border playing on the seesaws Sunday.
A compassionate Rael said in a statement:
“The wall became a literal fulcrum for U.S.– Mexico relations and children and adults were connected in meaningful ways on both sides with the recognition that the actions that take place on one side have a direct consequence on the other side.“1
Raul also posted a video of the project on Instagram and described it as “one of the most incredible experiences of my… career” and an “event filled with joy, excitement, and togetherness.”1
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The idea for the teeter-totters was initially conceptualized ten years ago as part of Rael’s book “Borderwall as Architecture: A Manifesto for the U.S.-Mexico Boundary.”1
The brilliant installation is a welcome sign of hope from an area that consistently makes headlines for stories of death, detention and political posturing.
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