Overview

The documentation of al-Muftaha Village’s uniqueness, history, characteristic architectural style, environment as well as the stories related to the spirit of the place Genius of a Place: Alseer, Abha book series is an invitation to embark on an exceptional immersive journey across time and space to unravel the soul of a historical and cultural village in the heart of Arabia. Located in Abha region, in the southern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, al-Muftaha Village was once an area vibrant with life, creativity, and artistic ingenuity: positioned amid an exceptional landscape surrounded by green hills and purple-colored jacaranda trees, this traditional village with its distinctive architectural style of mud-composed, white and turquoise-painted small houses, was in the 1980s a hub for artists and creatives. Here, amid the passageways built according to the region’s traditional construction style, stood studios and exhibition spaces, where artists unleashed their creativity and talent. For a long time, al-Muftaha Village brought together artists and artisans passionate about photography, traditional crafts, and fine arts. Closed for some years, al-Muftaha Village has preserved its authentic character: its colorful buildings and cozy ambiance stand witness to its once lively spirit and pioneering creative experimentations. As part of its efforts to establish cultural assets that promote culture as a way of life, the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia has worked on the restoration and renovation of al-Muftaha Village. In parallel, and with the purpose of preserving the unique cultural and historical value of al-Muftaha Village, the Ministry of Culture commissioned four artist photographers and four writers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab region, and Europe to capture the soul and memory of al-Muftaha Village. The result is an astonishing collection of rare images accompanied by a compelling narrative, that take the reader on a visual voyage uncovering the “genius of the place” called al-Muftaha. Composed of five small books, Genius of a Place: Alseer, Abha not only exhibits the architectural beauty of Al Muftaha, but also magically reveals the sense of the place by combining poignant images with a compelling narrative; photographs of empty alleys, abandoned studios, and the famous Talal Al Maddah Theater – once the landmark of al-Muftaha – all capture the “sense of the place” and reminisce the lively spirit of this village now turned still.

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