The wall built on the border to separate the United States and Mexico is a symbol of aggressive immigration policies for some. For others, it represents the necessary action taken in the fight against illegal immigration. The wall is understandably a sensitive and controversial subject. And it can feel like one must sit on one side of the seesaw or the other in their opinion over it. But no matter what side you have chosen, or if you are currently going up or down in a seesaw of opinions, people are talking about the literal seesaws that were on the wall these days. And how they have somehow made both sides smile.

The London’s Design Museum award for best design of 2020 has been given to an interactive design project that invited children from each side of the wall to temporarily play together on pink seesaws (via NPR). The prestigious award is given to acknowledge work that pushes boundaries of creativity and innovation.

The pink seesaws encouraged ways of human connection

The award is quite an honor considering the interactive artwork was removed after less than an hour (via ABC News). When announcing the prize, the Design Museum’s director, Tim Marlow, explained why the project titled “Teeter-Totter wall” beat out the competition. “It encouraged new ways of human connection and struck a chord that continues to resonate far beyond El Paso in the USA and Juarez in Mexico,” he says. Adding, “It remains an inventive and poignant reminder of how human beings can transcend the forces that seek to divide us.”

The designers, Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello, created their work in 2019 along with Mexico-based art collective, Colectivo Chopeke (per The Design Museum). And they are thrilled over the recognition. “We are totally surprised by this unexpected honor,” Real writes on his Instagram account. Including, “Most importantly, it comes at a time when we are hopeful for change and that we start building more bridges instead of walls.”

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