douglas KORNFELD

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"Open Hand, Open Heart, Open Mind" - 2015

Materials: Steel and perforated steel. - 32' x 17' x 6"

Location: Pittman-Sullivan Park, San Antonio, TX

Commissioning Agency: Department of Arts & Culture, San Antonio.TX

This commanding steel sculpture stands 32 feet tall, spanning 17 feet from pinky to thumb and 6 inches deep. It depicts an open hand at the top of an upraised arm. Sections that appear transparent are made of perforated steel plate, while the ring at the base of the arm is polished stainless steel.

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his philosophy of non-violent social change, the sculpture’s open hand represents a gesture of peace. At the base, the polished steel ring invites visitors to engage with the piece physically by stepping through it. As individuals steady themselves by placing a hand on the smooth surface of the ring, they instinctively open their hand—echoing the form above. This small, physical gesture creates a powerful symbolic connection between the viewer, the artwork, and Dr. King's enduring commitment to non-violence.

"Open Hand, Open Heart, Open Mind" is located in Pittman-Sullivan Park, and designates the end point of the annual Martin Luther King Day march. The march, the largest in the nation, draws more than 100,000 participants each year.