An Islamic ‘Sanctuary’ of prayer rugs is coming to San Fransico

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Jori Finkel
Detail of Tammam Azzam’s prayer rug design
SAN FRANCISCO---For-Site, the San Francisco foundation that brought Ai Weiwei’s art to Alcatraz in 2014, has just finalized plans for another politically engaged, site-specific show, “Sanctuary.” This fall, For-Site is blanketing a decommissioned chapel in Fort Mason with prayer rugs designed by 36 contemporary artists, including Mr. AiDiana Al-HadidMona Hatoum and Cornelia Parker. The participating artists, from 22 countries, are predominantly Middle Eastern, said Cheryl Haines, the founder of For-Site. All of the rugs measure 4 feet by 6 feet, a traditional size, and are being hand woven in Pakistan. The rugs will be on view for five months, laid out underfoot at the chapel, starting on Oct. 7. [More]

Fort Mason Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture: "Sanctuary" (October 07, 2017 – March 11, 2018); 2 Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan Street), San Francisco, CA; (415) 345-7500; fortmason.org
Tammam Azzam’s prayer rug design, which will appear at the “Sanctuary” exhibition in San Francisco. Credit Image courtesy the artist