{"product_id":"genius-of-a-place-aseer-abha-9788857250359","title":"Genius of a Place: Aseer, Abha","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe documentation of al-Muftaha Village's uniqueness, history, characteristic architectural style, environment as well as the stories related to the spirit of the place.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGenius of a Place: Alseer, Abha\u003c\/em\u003e 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 the 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-coloured 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere, 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 colourful buildings and cosy ambiance stand witness to its once lively spirit and pioneering creative experimentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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 takes the reader on a visual voyage uncovering the genius of the place called al-Muftaha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eComposed of five small books, \u003cem\u003eGenius of a Place: Alseer, Abha\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47460864196844,"sku":"9788857250359","price":145.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9788857250359-genius-of-a-place-aseer-abha.jpg?v=1774954372","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/genius-of-a-place-aseer-abha-9788857250359","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}