Mona Hatoum S Prayer Mat

Prayer mat was made as part of a series of carpets that mona hatoum produced for the istanbul biennial of 1995.

Mona hatoum s prayer mat. 3 x 71 x 40 5cm executed in 1996 this work is number six from an edition of six. I had heard of mona hatoum before but i am surprised at actually never having seen any of her work in person. 1952 door mat stainless steel pins nickel plated pins glue and canvas 1 1 8 x 28 x 16in. A small carpet like a prayer mat depicts a map of the world.

Especially when i notice the intense. The second smaller mat hatoum refers to is prayer mat which also had a shiny pin studded surface. Mona hatoum s dramatically unsettling prayer mat with its rows of sharply pointed nails and embedded compass projects a feeling of discomfort by subverting the object s intended use as a soft clean surface on which the supplicant can kneel in the direction of the kaaba in mecca the spiritual home of all muslims. At once sensi tive to the individual and also conscious of the systems within which individuals operate.

It manages to be serious with a light touch. This complex work. On my recent chelsea gallery trip last friday i came upon this cannonball size bronze prayer beads at the alexander and bonin gallery. Hatoum in conversation with michael archer in mona hatoum.

Upon first sight it could have been picked up from the city s tourist laden bazaar but it in fact comprises thousands of nickel plated brass pins glued to a canvas with a compass placed at its centre to allow orientation towards mecca. From worry beads to prayer mat worry beads 2009. Prayer mat asks us to consider our structures of belief and the means by which we go about private moments of spiritual engagement. The thought of standing kneeling or sitting on either carpet is an uneasy one.