Azra Aksamija

Photograph, wall text, 7 designed souvenirs (2003) Commissioned by the Gallery for Contemporary Art Leipzig, DE Fallen Angel explores the emergence of the war souvenirs produced by Bosnian craftspeople who transform artillery shells into vases. Unexpectedly, many people have found that these vases help them deal with their own personal war experiences, perhaps by transforming […]

10 photomontages (2005) Survival Mosque addresses the politics of visibility of Muslim minority groups living in the contemporary USA. The survival kit contains elements for self-protection such as the American-flag façade that communicates patriotism, gas-mask, nose filters, and an umbrella for protecting one’s back. The mosque is self-sufficient; the prayer rug supplies its own energy […]

Wearable device, 12 photographs, video (2005) Nomadic Mosque explores various ways of negotiating spatial relationships between Islamic traditions and modernity in the United States and Western Europe by creating wearable mosques, clothing that can be transformed into prayer rugs. While respecting religious restrictions, Nomadic Mosque aims to redefine traditional forms and functions of mosques in […]

Textile Installation (2008) Commissioned by Manifesta 7, Rovereto, IT Inspired by the geometric motifs of Islamic art, the Flocking Mosque juxtaposes these patterns with the five daily prayers of quotidien Muslim life. One “flower-circle” of this mosque can accommodate a prayer of twelve worshippers, by providing clean surfaces for those body parts that touch the […]

In different cultures and in different time periods, places of worship have been traditionally adorned with symbols of devotion; architectural ornament, sculpture and other decorative mediums were used to teach doctrine, as well as create places for prayer.

Video installation (2003) Commissioned by the Gallery for Contemporary Art Leipzig, DE This project probes the impromptu survival economy of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The end of the communist era opened up a new and unexplored market for Western products. To question the way international capital in the post-Communist era operated as a mechanism of political and economic […]

8 Photomontages (2000) If any of the people who plan or rebuild contemporary cities would take the notion of “urbanity” seriously, they would consider the public urinal to be commonplace. However, today’s city planners prefer public toilets even though these are not used very often due to their lack of hygiene and security issues. This […]