Muna Malik: Blessing of the Boats
October 23rd - December 11th, 2020*
*exhibition extended through Summer, 2021
The Blessing of the Boats is an ongoing art project by L.A. based artist Muna Malik that is focused around a series of large illuminated sculptural boats made of metal and reflective surfaces. The project prompts interaction with the public by encouraging viewers to create small paper origami boats with personal heartfelt messages for the future. The messages are then collected and added to each installation allowing it to grow over time. The first installation of Blessing of the Boats was featured at the Northern Spark Arts Festival in Minnesota in 2016. This installation allowed Northern Spark festival goers to take an artist-led journey across the architectural landmark of the Stone Arch Bridge with a small group of people. On the walk, they experienced music, poetry, and stories performed by local artists directly connected to the ongoing refugee crisis. This artist led journey culminating in a silent vigil surrounding the Blessing of the Boats installation commemorating refugees who’d lost their lives journeying to safety.
The evolution of the Blessing Of The Boats installation seeks to expand the project by replicating it in new private and public spaces around the country. The goal is to expand the initial topic past the journey of immigration and refugees and create a way for people to connect globally around the idea of how to create a better society. The project asks the questions: What messages would people leave if they knew it would have a large impact on someone anywhere in the world? And we have the opportunity to sail towards a new future, what society would you build and how do we get there?The Atkinson Gallery's version of Blessing of the Boats will be installed on our outdoor sculpture terrace so that it may be viewed remotely from Pershing Park and other locations around the city. The origami boat messages can be mailed in or safely dropped off at unmanned stations installed on campus and other local locations. Drop-off points and mailing address to be announced.
Malik will present a zoom webinar lecture on her work and practice on Wednesday, October 14th at 4:00 pm (PST). Click the button below for a recording of the talk. This project at Santa Barbara City College is partially supported by a Removing Barriers to STEM Success Title III Federal Grant.
Muna Malik is a multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, CA. Her current work focuses on creating poetic imagery around the narratives of women of color and refugees using abstract paintings and interactive sculpture. Muna’s work has been exhibited at Northern Spark Arts Festival, MCAD, Artworks Chicago & The University of Minnesota - Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She was the billboard artist for North Carolina for the ‘For Freedoms 50 State Initiative.’ She recently completed exhibitions at the Band of Vices Gallery LA, Annenberg Space for Photography LA with Photoville, the International Center for Photography with For Freedoms, MOCA Geffen in Los Angeles, CA and The Lower Manhattan Culture Council's 'River to RIver' Festival.
October 23rd - December 11th, 2020*
*exhibition extended through Summer, 2021
The Blessing of the Boats is an ongoing art project by L.A. based artist Muna Malik that is focused around a series of large illuminated sculptural boats made of metal and reflective surfaces. The project prompts interaction with the public by encouraging viewers to create small paper origami boats with personal heartfelt messages for the future. The messages are then collected and added to each installation allowing it to grow over time. The first installation of Blessing of the Boats was featured at the Northern Spark Arts Festival in Minnesota in 2016. This installation allowed Northern Spark festival goers to take an artist-led journey across the architectural landmark of the Stone Arch Bridge with a small group of people. On the walk, they experienced music, poetry, and stories performed by local artists directly connected to the ongoing refugee crisis. This artist led journey culminating in a silent vigil surrounding the Blessing of the Boats installation commemorating refugees who’d lost their lives journeying to safety.
The evolution of the Blessing Of The Boats installation seeks to expand the project by replicating it in new private and public spaces around the country. The goal is to expand the initial topic past the journey of immigration and refugees and create a way for people to connect globally around the idea of how to create a better society. The project asks the questions: What messages would people leave if they knew it would have a large impact on someone anywhere in the world? And we have the opportunity to sail towards a new future, what society would you build and how do we get there?The Atkinson Gallery's version of Blessing of the Boats will be installed on our outdoor sculpture terrace so that it may be viewed remotely from Pershing Park and other locations around the city. The origami boat messages can be mailed in or safely dropped off at unmanned stations installed on campus and other local locations. Drop-off points and mailing address to be announced.
Malik will present a zoom webinar lecture on her work and practice on Wednesday, October 14th at 4:00 pm (PST). Click the button below for a recording of the talk. This project at Santa Barbara City College is partially supported by a Removing Barriers to STEM Success Title III Federal Grant.
Muna Malik is a multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, CA. Her current work focuses on creating poetic imagery around the narratives of women of color and refugees using abstract paintings and interactive sculpture. Muna’s work has been exhibited at Northern Spark Arts Festival, MCAD, Artworks Chicago & The University of Minnesota - Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She was the billboard artist for North Carolina for the ‘For Freedoms 50 State Initiative.’ She recently completed exhibitions at the Band of Vices Gallery LA, Annenberg Space for Photography LA with Photoville, the International Center for Photography with For Freedoms, MOCA Geffen in Los Angeles, CA and The Lower Manhattan Culture Council's 'River to RIver' Festival.
Blessing of The Boats is an installation that invites all of us to thoughtfully consider our role as individuals within our greater community.
We have an opportunity to set sail towards a new future. What society would you build and how do we get there?
Using the instructional video below as a guide we ask you to fold a piece of paper into an origami boat and on it, write your answer to the prompt above.
Take a picture of your boat and and email it to us at [email protected] or mail the paper boat to:
Atkinson Gallery
Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
We have an opportunity to set sail towards a new future. What society would you build and how do we get there?
Using the instructional video below as a guide we ask you to fold a piece of paper into an origami boat and on it, write your answer to the prompt above.
Take a picture of your boat and and email it to us at [email protected] or mail the paper boat to:
Atkinson Gallery
Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109