Artist creates 'Public Prayer Booths' in NYC

[November 12, 2008]  NEW YORK (AP) -- You could mistake it for a typical New York City phone booth. But instead of an image of a phone, the side panels depict folded hands -- and the word "prayer" instead of "telephone." Oh, and there's a flip-down kneeler.

The Public Prayer Booth was conceived by Dylan Mortimer, a recent graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts who lives in Kansas City.

The 29-year-old said he wanted to spark dialogue about prayer.

The public installation is sponsored by the city's Arts in the Park program.

A pair of the booths can be found near the entrance to the Roosevelt Island tram in midtown Manhattan until Dec. 7.

Jackson, Tenn., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, also have Mortimer Prayer Booths.

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On the Net: http://www.nycgovparks.org/

[Associated Press]

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