Celebrating Faith Through Sound: How a London Installation Challenges Social Divides
Mei-Lin Chen | AA
Joe Namy's 'Cosmic Breath' installation in London aims to confront growing Islamophobia by reimagining public space as a sanctuary of sound, blending historical and contemporary calls to prayer from around the globe.
An innovative sound installation by Joe Namy has found a timely home in London's Ibraaz’s Musalla, a space aimed at spiritual and creative exploration. 'Cosmic Breath' invites listeners into a meditative experience through its orchestration of the Islamic call to prayer, or adhan. Namy, an American-born Lebanese artist, reimagines global calls to prayer as they resonate through horn speakers akin to those on mosque minarets. These recordings offer a significant counterpoint to the rising tide of Islamophobia in London.
This art piece, which moves past simple sound design into a dialogue with social issues, stands as an act of resilience and sanctuary. Namy's installation amplifies the adhan at prayer times, allowing the sound to envelop the space and promote introspection amid the bustling city. This local iteration of Namy’s work uses a recording from the Walthamstow area during lockdown, reflecting a moment of unity in isolation.
Exploring Historical Soundscapes and Spirituality
Namy has long been interested in how sound systems and spiritual practices intersect, examining how sound affects communal experiences. 'Cosmic Breath' began in Jeddah in 2023 and continues to examine the politics of sound and shared spiritual spaces. Through collaborator Sumayya Vally, the installation's scenography emphasizes a temporal and geographical dialogue, showcasing the beauty of the adhan as an ever-present global tradition.
By featuring diverse adhan recordings from Mecca and Singapore to more intimate personal recitations, the installation offers a comprehensive look at how tradition coexists with modernity. Namy highlights the adhan's varied regional characteristics, blending them into a cohesive soundscape that enhances cultural appreciation while critiquing contemporary societal issues.
Civic Protest and the Power of Sound
The inception of 'Cosmic Breath' finds its roots in a civic protest in South Africa, where interfaith unity demonstrated against a local ban on publicly broadcasting the adhan. Despite social distancing constraints, a parade of cars broadcasted the calls to prayer over stereos, intertwining resistance and spirituality in public discourse. This act of solidarity laid the groundwork for Namy’s artistic exploration.
The South African protest not only inspired Namy but also highlighted the adhan as a social and political statement. It demonstrated how sound could unite communities and challenge societal prejudices, providing a cultural foundation for the installation now being experienced in London.
Innovating Public Space for Cultural Resilience
The 'Cosmic Breath' installation offers a profound reflection on how urban spaces can be creatively reclaimed to foster cultural resilience and community dialogue. In a time when Islamophobia and xenophobia are on the rise, creating spaces that embrace diversity becomes vital for cities like London, serving as a refuge for artistic and spiritual exploration.
Municipal leaders and urban planners might consider how innovative art installations participating in public soundscapes can be leveraged to enhance civic inclusion. As 'Cosmic Breath' exemplifies, such projects can transform city spaces into conduits for healing and cultural understanding, reinforcing the notion that urban environments should cater to the diverse needs of their populations while acknowledging their historical depth and richness.
Questions That Matter
What is the 'Cosmic Breath' installation in London?
Joe Namy's 'Cosmic Breath' installation is a multi-channel sound piece housed in Ibraaz’s Musalla in London. It features recordings of the Islamic call to prayer, aiming to provide a sanctuary amid rising Islamophobia.
Which mosques' calls feature in the installation?
'Cosmic Breath' includes adhan recordings from Mecca in the 19th century, the Sultan Mosque in Singapore, and the Waltham Forest Islamic Association in London from 2020. These selections highlight varied historical and geographic contexts.