This photograph shows a large metal sculpture resembling an origami boat. The boat is constructed from geometric mirrored panels. There are three-inch spaces between the mirrored panels, so that the geometric shapes appear to float. The sculpture sits on a concrete plaza. Behind it is a low wall, a tree, and a river, with an urban skyline on the far side of the river. The sky is light blue with wispy clouds.

Blessing of the Boats: River to River

  • Muna Malik
ArtistMuna Malik
Year2020
Dimensions84 x 48 x 192 inches (213.36 cm x 121.92 cm x 487.68 cm)
MediumSteel and mirrored plexi
CreditCourtesy of the artist

Muna Malik originally conceived of her sculptural installation project, Blessing of the Boats, as a tribute to global migration and the millions of people who have left the countries where they were born with the hopes of finding reliable work and more secure futures for their families. These migrants are an indispensable, if often undervalued, segment of the workforce in nations like the United States.

Muna has expanded the focus of her project as she has replicated her Blessing of the Boats installation in public and private spaces around the country. Building on the topic of global migration, the artist’s goal now is to prompt people to consider how we might come together to create a better society. She asks: “What message would you leave if you knew your words would have a major impact on someone?” and “Given the opportunity to sail toward a new future, what society would you create, and how might we get there?” The project invites the public to share in the labor of creating the artwork by encouraging viewers to craft origami paper boats, which they inscribe with heartfelt messages for the future. The paper boats are collected and added to each installation, allowing the large vessel to slowly fill.

This iteration of Blessing of the Boats was installed in Belvedere Plaza in Battery Park City, NYC in 2020.

This photograph shows the same sculpture and scene as the previous photo, but this image was taken at dusk. The boat sculpture is illuminated from within with a warm, yellow light. Lights are also on in the buildings in the city skyline on the far side of the river. A man stands to the right of the sculpture, looking down at it. He appears as a dark silhouette against the early evening sky.
This photograph shows a young family in an urban park. The father is seated on a park bench on the right side of the picture. He wears shorts, a T-shirt, a baseball cap, and a facemask. On his lap he holds a stack of white papers. His backpack and camera rest on the bench beside him. Standing in front of him are two young girls. One of the girls faces the man and reaches to take a piece of paper. The second girl, on the left side of the photo, holds a completed origami boat and looks directly at the camera. Both of the girls wear denim shorts, tie-dye T-shirts, bike helmets, and facemasks.
This photograph is a close-up of a section of the large boat sculpture. The image shows a gap between three of the geometric mirrored panels that form the outer structure of the boat. In the gap between the panels, there are several small paper boats inscribed with written notes and drawings. One of the notes in the foreground reads, 'TRUTH OVER ALL. LOVE ALL KINDS.'