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Seesaw art installation seeks to bridge divide at US-Mexico border

In what they've billed as a "unifying act," two California professors installed pink seesaws that reach across the U.S.-Mexico border, allowing children on each side to play with each other.

EL PASO, Texas — In what they've billed as a "unifying act," two California professors installed pink seesaws that reach across the U.S.-Mexico border, allowing children on each side to play with each other.

The seesaws went up Monday along the steel border fence separating El Paso, Texas from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, PEOPLE.com reported. Virginia San Fratello, an associate professor of design at San José State University, originally had the idea for the "Teetertotter Wall" 10 years ago, according to an Instagram post by the other professor behind the project, Ronald Rael.

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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

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Rael, a professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, included a video showing children and adults alike playing on the fluorescent seesaws on each side of the border.

"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," Rael wrote.

The "Teetertotter Wall" comes amid an ongoing immigration debate that's become central to Donald Trump's presidency. President Trump has pledged to "build a wall" on the U.S.-Mexico border, has allowed the separation of migrant families who illegally crossed the border and has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in major cities.

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