Interfaith Prayers Bring Healing to Boston's Logan Airport

March 4, 2004

Source: The Milford Daily News

http://www.milforddailynews.com/artsCulture/view.bg?articleid=42933

On March 4, 2004 The Milford Daily News reported, "Ellen Band has brought prayer into the noisy bustle of everyday life. Now, while travelers rush through Logan Airport, they hear sacred words and sounds from the world's great religions wafting through the elevated walkway to Terminal E. Band's intriguing audio installation rearranges and broadcasts a mix of prayerful sounds from Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Native American religious ceremonies. By weaving together prayer, religious music and chants, the Boston artist has created an auditory event that infuses routine activities with sacred moments... Installed in three Boston locations, 'Ellen Band: Portal of Prayer' was commissioned by the Institute of Contemporary Art as part of a program established by Director Jill Medvedow...Band gathered prayers and music from a wide variety of sources, including Trinity Church Boston, Congregational Kehilath Israel, Saint John the Evangelist Monastery, New England Sikh Study Circle Gudwara, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Geraldine Barney of the Navaho Nation, Congregacion Leon, Iman Khaleel Mohammed and others. Band said her installation had a special significance for Logan Airport since terrorists passed through it before hijacking jetliners in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. 'The airport can use some healing,' she said."