ABOUT
In honor of the September papal visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, Project HOME, led by Sister Mary Scullion and Mercy and Justice joined with renowned muralist, Meg Saligman to create a public art piece that would unite the city. The project entitled "Undoing the Knots", was conceived and designed by Saligman based on "Mary, Undoer of Knots", a painting beloved by Pope Francis. Saligman and her team collected thousands of prayers and struggles which were written on fabric and woven or tied through the "knot grotto", the structure that would come be the resulting centerpiece of this year-long project. The 10-foot tall, dome-like structure was collaborated and installed by Daniel Ostrov and Stephanie Cole of Steam Chamber (LLC) with the assistance of their fabrication team.  

On September 27th (2015), as the Meeting of World Family Tour drew to a close, Pope Francis visited the knot grotto in the courtyard of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Logan Square. In a moment immortalized by the press, Pope Francis personally blessed the knot grotto, fulfilling the hopes of thousands who tied prayers to the sculpture.  The knot grotto is now featured at the Francis House of Peace, an affordable housing development sponsored by Project HOME.

To learn more about the "Undoing The Knots" project click here.
#knotgrotto #steamchamber #mercyandjustice #popeinphilly #popefrancis

CREDITS:
Sculptural Fabrication and Collaboration: 
Dan Ostrov and Stephanie Cole of Steam Chamber, LLC
Steam Chamber Project Members Include: 
Elliott Lamborn, Sara Breznicky, Harry Friedman,
Thaddeus Wascheck, Daniel Freeman, Savannah Hudicka

Lead artist: 
Meg Saligman of Meg Saligman Studios 
in collaboration with Project HOME

Lighting Design and Installation:
Jason Danowitz, Starlite Productions

Landscaping:
Robert O'Sullivan Landscape Contractor

Additional Links:
ProjectHome / Sister Mary Scullion 
Mercy And Justice | World Meeting of Families | 
Francis House of Peace | Meg Saligman Studios