Border-Ball is a 40-day pilgrimage (October 29 – December 7, 2019) along the U.S. – Mexico border, a movie, and an art installation by Joel Tauber.
Tauber begins his pilgrimage at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, California, and walks along the Border Wall before heading north two and a half miles to the Otay Mesa Detention Center. He travels there and back again each day—a seven mile journey that connects legal entry to the U.S. with the Border Wall and the Detention Center holding those who might be in the country without all legal permits.
Many people participated in Border-Ball by walking with Joel Tauber, playing catch with him, and by sharing stories about the border, the Port of Entry, the Wall, and the Detention Center. Here’s the map of the route. And here’s the walking and interviewing schedule:
October 29 -30: Meet at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry pedestrian bridge at noon. Walk along the border and proceed to the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Then return to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
Oct 31; Nov 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29; Dec 1, 3, 5: Meet at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry pedestrian bridge at noon. Share thoughts and stories (on camera) until 1 pm. Walk along the Border Wall from 1-1:30. Rest from 1:30 – 1:45 pm. Walk to the Otay Mesa Detention Center from 1:45 – 2:45 pm. Share thoughts and stories (on camera) until 3:45 pm. Walk back to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry from 3:45 – 4:45 pm.
Nov 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30; Dec 2, 4, 6: Meet at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry pedestrian bridge at noon. Share thoughts and stories (on camera) until 1 pm. Walk along the Border Wall from 1:00-1:30. Share thoughts and stories (on camera) until 2:30 pm at the eastern end of the Via De La Amistad section of the route. Walk to the Otay Mesa Detention Center from 2:30 – 3:30 pm. Rest from 3:30 until 3:45 pm. Walk back to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry from 3:45 – 4:45 pm.
Nov 4: Joel Tauber is walking alone with a cinematographer
Dec 7: Meet at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry pedestrian bridge at noon. Share thoughts and stories (on camera) until 1 pm. Gather at 1 pm at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry sign where Roll Drive and Via De La Amistad meet (across from 7-11). Walk along the Border Wall from 1:00 – 1:30. Play Ball from 1:30-2:30 pm in front of the Wall at the eastern end of the Via De La Amistad section of the route. Walk to the Otay Mesa Detention Center from 2:30 – 3:30 pm. Rest from 3:30 until 3:45 pm. Walk back to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry from 3:45 – 4:45 pm.