atelier ARI's open border installation in canada defies political tensions

responding to the tensed political climate spreading across the world, rotterdam based atelier ARI unveils a brightly red installation set across the assiniboine river in winnipeg, canada. stretching almost four meters in height, the wall titled ‘open border’ creates a striking contrast against the white snowy landscape and the sinuous ice skating trail through which it cuts perpendicularly.

the installaiton is set across the assiniboine river in winnipeg, canada right over an ice skating trail

atelier ARI’s open border installation has been completed in january of this year with the help of canadian firm sputnik architecture, as part of the 2017 warming huts competition which invites artists and architects to build a pavilion along the skating trail. even more,this project has surfaced at the same time when the president of the united states has confirmed his plans to construct a wall along the mexican border and ban the entry of visitors coming from several muslim countries. hence this installation, seemingly threatening at first glance, is actually a porous border through which people can easily cross.

children ice skating back and forth through the red PVC strips

cladded with red insulating strips that keep the cold wind out, ‘open border’ has an inner wall that creates a series of interlinked spaces — bringing about a warm and friendly nest for skaters and pedestrians. finally, the structure is fixed to the ground via simple, red painted wooden structures that are covered by the PVC slabs. the project is set to remain on the ice until the river defrosts during early spring.

the wall is composed of red insulating PVC strips that keep the cold wind out

father and son skating through the wall at full speed

two canadian hockey players that just came back from a big match at the forks

open border, besides being a political statement against recent events, is a friendly space to play in

the inner wall offers a warm and friendly nest for people to gather

open border invites anyone to cross through, even animals

train passing by at the industrial area where the cultural centre of winnipeg is situated

the project seen from the banks of the river

night view: the red wall becomes transparent

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: lea zeitoun | designboom