New chain-link mosque public art unveiled in Vancouver (PHOTOS)
The 2018-2020 Vancouver Biennale exhibition was officially launched at Vanier Park today, with the unveiling of Ajlan Gharem‘s Paradise Has Many Gates – a chain link mosque.
While Gharem’s architectural chain-link sculpture structurally resembles a traditional mosque, its use of unconventional materials and visual transparency challenges notions of religious orthodoxy and encourages communities of all faiths to “reimagine” a space free from Islamophobia.
In the work, a communal space is framed as the focus for community building, acceptance, and tolerance.
Ajlan Gharem, artist, talking about his installations, Paradise Has Many Gates, to those in attendance. (Photo: roaming-the-planet/ Flickr)
Paradise Has Many Gates will also host “Weaving Cultural Identities,” an initiative that brings First Nations weavers and graphic artists together with local South Asian, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern Muslim communities to collaborate and celebrate diverse cultural knowledge and self-identification.
Ajlan Gharem, artist, talking about his installations, Paradise Has Many Gates. Also pictured: Charlene Aleck, Tsleil Waututh, Debra Sparrow, Musqueam, Councillor Ian Campbell, Squamish. (Photo: roaming-the-planet / Flickr)
The organization’s mission is to make public art accessible, engaging, and motivating to create vibrant and inspired communities.
Each exhibition is meant to demonstrate that public art is an economic driver by creating magnetic cultural attractions for visitors, and foundational to creating livable, creatively inspired communities.
Debra Sparrow, Musqueam, welcoming the artist. (Photo: roaming-the-planet /Flickr)
Daily Hive is a proud community partner of Vancouver Biennale