Seesaws on the Border of Mexico and the USA – a Unique Pink Installation Wins 2020 Beazley Design of the Year Award
4:33 PM EST, January 31, 2021
Sometimes simple signs are enormously meaningful. This is the case of the unusual installation – its idea was born a couple of years ago.
Seesaws instead of wall
There are two people behind the project called Teeter-Totter Wall: Ronald Rael, a professor of the Berkeley California University and Virginia San Fratello, a professor of design at the San Jose State University. Since 2009 they had been working on several conceptual drawings until in 2019 their vision was finally implemented. There were several location options but finally Sunland Park was chosen.
Not only does the design look intriguing, but in the first place it gives kids loads of fun
Interestingly, the installation received the 2020 Beazley Design of The Year, which was a great surprise for Rael and San Fratello as there were 70 other intriguing competition entries. Rael thanked the Juarez artistic collective for their contribution to create the swings.
“What is important comes along in the time when there is hope for more bridges than walls.” he said.
The project means that any actions on one side have direct consequences on the other side. It is also a direct reference to strict immigration policy of former US president, Donald Trump.
The seesaws are popular on both sides of the border. Sometimes you don’t need much to make people happy
