Instant House by artist Vito Acconci is about differences between two countries and feelings during the era called the "Cold War" (1945-90). When you sit on the swing the walls go up and you only see the American flag. You cannot see the Russian flag. Each flag is a symbol for the country and its people.

Look at the house when the walls are up.

Do we sometimes put walls up between ourselves and people we do not "see" or understand?

Think about how easily this house "falls apart." Could the artist also be talking about the fragility of institutions, nations, or political relations?