Artists Install Binational See-Saws At US-Mexico Border So Kids Can Play Together!

While the world is continuously stressing upon building walls and dividing people in the name of religion, nationality, caste and gender, here are some artists who through their creative skills are trying to reunite people and remind us that we are connected in more than one way.

Ronald Rael, an architecture professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Virginia San Fratello, an associate professor of design at San Jose State University came up with the idea of creating the “Teeter-Totter Wall” at the border that separates the United States and Mexico.

View this post on Instagram

Teeter tottering on the border wall.

A post shared by Virginia San Fratello (@vasfsf) on

According to CNN, it was a long time coming. In 2009, the two designed a concept for a binational see-saw at the border for a book, “Borderwall as Architecture” which uses “humor and inventiveness to address the futility of building barriers.

View this post on Instagram

Togetherness.

A post shared by Virginia San Fratello (@vasfsf) on

Ten years later, the conceptual drawings of the Teetertotter Wall became a reality. Custom-built see-saws were transported by Rael and his crew to Sunland Park, New Mexico, where a steel fence separates it from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

View this post on Instagram

Joy.

A post shared by Virginia San Fratello (@vasfsf) on

Sharing his joy and excitement, Rael wrote this in one of his Instagram posts. “The wall became a literal fulcrum for the 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.”

View this post on Instagram

One of the most incredible experiences of my and @vasfsf’s career bringing to life the conceptual drawings of the Teetertotter Wall from 2009 in an event filled with joy, excitement, and togetherness at the borderwall. 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. Amazing thanks to everyone who made this event possible like Omar Rios @colectivo.chopeke for collaborating with us, the guys at Taller Herrería in #CiudadJuarez for their fine craftsmanship, @anateresafernandez for encouragement and support, and everyone who showed up on both sides including the beautiful families from Colonia Anapra, and @kerrydoyle2010, @kateggreen , @ersela_kripa , @stphn_mllr , @wakawaffles, @chris_inabox and many others (you know who you are). #raelsanfratello #borderwallasarchitecture #teetertotterwall #seesaw #subibaja

A post shared by RAEL (@rrael) on

Fratello also shared multiple images of the wall on her social media that spoke volumes about the fact that together we can break border walls, reset and start afresh.

View this post on Instagram

Happiness

A post shared by Virginia San Fratello (@vasfsf) on

View this post on Instagram

Seesawing on the border.

A post shared by Virginia San Fratello (@vasfsf) on

Twitter appreciated their kind gesture too:

https://twitter.com/Mattison/status/1156166816047276032

Rael’s and Fratello’s untamed attempt to unite beyond borders is commendable and proves that there are more reasons that unite us than those that divide us.

📣 Storypick is now on Telegram! Click here to join our channel (@storypick) and never miss another great story.