Hand Sculpture Draws Attention to World Slavery

A giant hand reaches toward the sky in south Buckhead.

The purpose of sculpture at the Passion City Church site, 515 Garson Drive, is to draw attention to world slavery, according to information at the base of the work and on the church's web site.

The 103-foot tall art installation is being displayed for 72 days, a period that began on Feb. 27 and will continue through May 8. A panel on the work says it's "calling people to unite for freedom on behalf of the 27 million slaves in the world today." For information, see 72daysforfreedom.com, part of the church's website.

Constructed with common objects on the U.S. Department of Labor's list of top goods "made by forced labor and child labor," the panel says, the sculpture displays such childhood items as teddy bears and dolls. Its materials include coffee, cotton, clothing, chocolate, soccer balls, bamboo, lumber, Christmas decorations, rice, brick, toys, shoes and fabric.

Located just south of Lindbergh Station, the sculpture is visible to MARTA train passengers.

According to the church's web site, the sculpture was first displayed at Passion 2012, in which 43,000 18 to 25 year olds attended worship services at the Georgia Dome from Jan. 2-5. After giving donations, particpants wrote prayers and added their signatures to the materials used in the sculpture. Over four days, $3.3 million was raised, the church said.

With the giant hand figure towering above, the Garson Drive location will be the site of event Saturday.