The metal you see here is entirely comprised of stainless steel nails, hammered into wood cores.

Shamefully (because I liked his work), I have forgotten this artist's name and I think I wrote it down, but have yet to find on what! Anyway, these are from a series called "Crazy English," when he followed the pioneer of promoting English learning around various events in China, which are amusing to see because off the bat, you assume it is some kind of socialist event! but no! they are being encouraged to "Speak Out in English!"