Contemporary art
Scenes from an American Qur'an
By The Art Newspaper. From In The Frame
Published online: 09 September 2010
Sandow Birk, American Qur'an/Sura 19 (C) 2010
With all the furor over the proposed community centre in the financial district—more familiarly labelled the "ground zero mosque"—the installation "American Qur'an" by artist Sandow Birk opening at P.P.O.W. Gallery in Chelsea this weekend could not be more perfectly timed. Since 2004 Birk has been transcribing the entire Qur'an into English, illustrating each sura (or chapter) with paintings evoking Persian miniatures, but depicting everyday scenes in America. According to the press release, the Detroit-born, California-based artist "hopes to reflect how consistent the similarities are in the teachings of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. To bring this to light enables more understanding and compassion, versus fear of the unknown. The conversations and also the misunderstandings that are still occurring about what the Qur'an is and who Muslims are will benefit from this series and will allow others to join in these conversations with more knowledge." An exhibition of the works was held at galleries in San Francisco and Los Angeles last year, and Birk plans to continue creating the intricate pieces for another 3 years, until he has finished all 114 suras on over 300 pages.
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