mexican designer ramón jiménez cárdenas’ ‘mending wall’ is a series of eight grappling hooks, each designed to overcome a corresponding prototype of president trump’s proposed border wall between the united states and mexico. highlighting the contemporary issues both poetically and politically, the pieces are made of rebars and shaped to catch on the walls’ peaks.
the project’s title is a reference to american writer robert frost’s cognominal poem, which narrates a relationship between two neighbors that meet annually to repair a wall that divides their property. inspired by the federally funded border wall prototypes separating san diego, california and tijuana, mexico, the grappling hooks explain the practicality of climbing a wall and overcoming borders.
‘global trade systems, such as NAFTA, influence the export of crops and directly impact migration between the united states and mexico,’ comments ramón jiménez cárdenas. ‘while the relationship between the two countries has rarely been easy, the border has also allowed for many years of successful bilateral relations. despite the threat of physical barriers, the two countries are forever entwined.’
the grappling hooks are made from rebar which is needed in the casting of superior concrete/cement structures and are powder coated colors inspired by native mexican corn. the exposed welds and the fabrication methods refer back to the federally funded labor that went into building the prototypes.
the extruded silhouette forms represent the tops of the 8 proposed border wall prototypes. each silhouette is paired with a grappling hook to show that every barrier has a solution.
representative silhouettes of the 8 proposed border wall prototypes
proposed border wall prototypes with graphic language of the wall’s top cross-sections
initial research-based drawings
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: maria erman | designboom
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Enter legally and you won’t need a hook
Your comment reveals a lot about you.
I’m very doubtful you want to educate your opinion on why someone would want to jump the wall?
As I am just as doubtful that you will look into how difficult it is to obtain a US visa or green-card.
Therefore, do carry on your day and enjoy the privileges of free movement – never once considering whom has it worse off.
Good day to you.
If we let everyone in, we would not have many freedoms left; especially if the people entering want to change our laws (Which they do and have proven it). We enjoy much in this country because of how it is but that would end if we stay on course with democrats plans. We’ve got it figured out (better than most) when it comes to moving freely about in our own country but it won’t fix your country. (Everyone who wishes to seek asylum but change our ways because it doesn’t conform to your views. You have to understand if we did change, then it will only be as bad as the country that person left.)
No, American’s don’t understand others struggles and they are naive and ignorant. Why come to a country that you only want to change? Open borders would mean just as much chaos as other countries that ‘enjoy’ this ‘freedom’.
Also, define “freedom of movement”. Can you not go to the store, go outside and walk around, go to a park? If not, what is the difference? Religion, politics, ethics? If you only mean that you aren’t able to move from one country to another then I don’t see that as a problem. If you can’t go outside and move around then I feel sorry for you. Move to another country that has open borders? Kinda dangerous though, I wouldn’t do it.