It may seem like an ordinary scene: Children and adults playing on pink seesaws, carelessly laughing and chatting with each other
But this is a playground unlike any other. These custom-built seesaws have been placed on both sides of a slatted steel border fence that separates the United States and Mexico.
— CNN
The binational Teetertotter Wall intervention, connecting Sunland Park, New Mexico with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, is the brainchild of Ronald Rael, a professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and Virginia San Fratello, an associate professor of design at San José State University.
View this post on InstagramOne 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
A post shared by Ronald Rael (@rrael) on
"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," writes Rael on his Instagram account. "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."
The border fortifications along the U.S.-Mexican border — and their impact on various levels — have been the special focus of the two architects for some time. In 2010, Rael San Fratello Architects' proposal "Border Wall as Infrastructure" was selected as one of the finalists in the Working Public Architecture 2.0 competition at UCLA.
"It would be easy for me to raise a picket sign and as an architect say, 'Down with this wall!'," Rael said in 2011. "I have to accept the wall because it exists, but as a designer, I see that something better is possible. Why not do something intelligent, something incredible? I envision not just a 'dumb wall,' but a social infrastructure that connects and improves lives on both sides."
Ronald Rael at TED Salon: Belonging. Video via TED
In a 2018 TED talk, Rael shared thoughts from his book Borderwall as Architecture: A Manifesto for the US-Mexico Boundary, saying "There are not two sides defined by a wall. This is one landscape, divided."
Very conflicted about this, very.
In response, a statement via The Funambulist, @elisehunchuck and @dubravka re: "Borderwall as (Settler Colonial) Architecture, or why We Prefer Bulldozers to Seesaws"
All 9 Comments
Keep building that wall, so we can provide more see-saws!
Those kids are having a great time! WALL = FUN
nice design reaction to an existing situation.
Awesome!
Art
if a fat American kid accidentally launches a Mexican kid over the wall will they be charged with trafficking?
Thank you sir!
Next up: a giant swing set spanning the Rio Grande.
Very conflicted about this, very.
more wall = more great ART
THANK U, WALL!
4 more gr8t ahhhht
In response, a statement via The Funambulist, @elisehunchuck and @dubravka re: "Borderwall as (Settler Colonial) Architecture, or why We Prefer Bulldozers to Seesaws"
Brava.
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