By 
On May 11, an exhibition dedicated to Dr. Delois Blakely, U.S. Ambassador of Goodwill to Africa, the Community Mayor of Harlem, and an ex-catholic nun launched a program held during its opening week that had art-making workshops presented by Minor Miracle Foundation as well as an experimental “social project” titled Nails Across America by Breanne Trammell. The piece was created by Pawel Althamer and stands 50-feet long by 18-feet high. The sculpture is of a reclining woman, and it is made out of urban debris.
The exhibition will take place from May11-Aug. 2 in Socrates Sculpture Park. The purpose of the exhibition is to raise awareness for the homeless population, of which Dr. Blakely was a champion and to bring attention to displaced women.
Originally, the sculpture was built in 2013 as part of Althamer’s Performa Commission as “a platform for creative dialogue and interactive programming, reflecting the park’s commitment to engaging audiences through public art. The sculpture was not just assembled by Althamer. Noan Fischer, Roman Stanczak, Rafal Zwirek, Jim Costanzo, Brian Fernandes-Halloran, and Eric Gottshall as well as Althamer’s sons, Bruno Althamer, and Szymon Althamer. It was originally based in East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn but has been moved to Long Island City, where it sits surrounded by three housing projects, (Astoria, Ravenswood, and Queensbridge Houses.)
Along with the sculpture, the artists are setting up events, talks, and workshops throughout the summer to address issues that Dr. Blakely has.