NYC’s Shelter Population Speaks Out in Public Art Project
Alex Strada’s “Public Address” brings handwritten testimonies from over 400 unhoused New Yorkers and shelter staff to a dozen locations across the Bronx.
Alex Strada’s Public Address debuted in the Bronx on September 14, showcasing the voices of over 400 New Yorkers who are homeless or work in shelters. The artist, the first resident at the New York Department of Homeless Services, transformed shelter log entries into striking aluminum signs to be displayed in high-traffic areas throughout the city.
Strada hopes the project will challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about homelessness. Featured in the installation are an Ecuadorian mother’s journey to New York with her daughters, a collage of multicolored hearts, and personal letters reflecting the complexities of homelessness. Symbols like bikes, houses, and distant landscapes represent the privileges often overlooked, while letters delve into lesser-known aspects, such as the struggles of undocumented immigrants finding housing, teenagers navigating high school without shelter, and sudden evictions.
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