New York-based artists collective Harlem Grown, in collaboration with Jerome Haferd of BRANDT : HAFERD, has shared photos of the new ‘Sankofa’ installation in Harlem’s historic Marcus Garvey Park just months after the announcement of a two-year community-led commission aimed at creating an artistic public gathering space for residents of the area.

The installation is part of the Mellon Foundation’s Culture, Creativity, & Care Initiative focused on Marcus Garvey Park and the cultural traditions of the community that it serves.

Harlem Grown shares: "The project involved planning and collaboration with local artists and makers across various artistic styles and media. Despite its bespoke appearance, the installation is based on a modular system and uses sturdy, reusable materials that can be reconfigured for a number of future uses or sites."

The design of the circular 32-foot canopied structure incorporates a covered gallery space that will host a rotating exhibition of work made by local artists. The canopy itself comes printed with "digitally composed" layers of images which harken and pay homage to the history of the park and community. 

Finally, its modular construction system and selection of reusable materials that can be disassembled for later use betrays a commitment to sustainability and environmental concerns that align with the mission of both groups, the foundation, and all the artists/local respondents involved in its creation and delivery. 

"‘Sankofa’ is the first outdoor hub to be unveiled as part of the initiative," the design team describes in a previous statement. "‘Sankofa’ derives from the Akan African folklore, symbolizing remembrance of things forgotten, and means ‘in order to know our future we must look to our past’. The installation is a new design inspired by centuries of tradition and will host a range of events and art that celebrate the rich histories of Harlem’s communities while showcasing fresh interpretations of those ideas."

The exhibition will remain in place until the end of the summer, while the group’s RFP for next year’s events and artist submission will remain open until October 1st. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Harlem Grown.