Seesaws Built At US-Mexico Border Wall Wins 'Design Of The Year' Award

January 20, 2021

A trio of seesaws that allowed families on the US-Mexico border wall to play together has been named "Design of the Year 2020" by London's Design Museum.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The art project turned the 20-foot border wall into a plaground –- inviting families on each side to play together.

Three pink seesaws were put in the gaps in the wall and allowed children, and even some adults, from Juárez and the suburb of Sunland Park, New Mexico to play together.

"We are totally surprised by this unexpected honor," said Ronald Rael, who designed the project with fellow architect Virginia San Fratello.

The project was nominated along with 70 nominees, which included a 3D rendering of the virus causing Covid-19, Lee Ha Jun's set design from the Oscar-winning South Korean film Parasite, and the union flag stab-proof vest designed by Banksy which was worn by British rapper Stormzy at Glastonbury in 2019.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The Beazley Designs of the Year are the Oscars of the design world," said Razia Iqbal, a journalist who chaired the Design Museum's panel of judges. The award, she noted, highlights work that pushes boundaries of creativity and innovation.