The Makkah Room has been a dream of mine for many years and was a chance to present in a very beautiful way, the history of the spiritual cities of Makkah and Madinah plus the journey of a lifetime, the Hajj.
We created three short presentations that are being shown on a continuous loop, throughout the day. We were also able to collate very old prints and photographs including the previously unseen work of Safouh Naamani, one of the early pioneers of colour photography in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I was also very excited about showing Safouh’s beautiful documentary, ‘the Pilgrimage to Makkah’ which is being shown at 12:15 daily in the Makkah Room. This documentary which began in the 1950’s was completed in the early 1960’s and shows a time when the hajj pilgrims still traveled by foot, camels and boat.
I have visited the Makkah room and it has been really great to find young people sitting there quietly watching the films. It was also great to work alongside Chris, Lulwah and the design team, they are a great inspiration!
thank you,
Peter Sanders
www.petersanders.com
I would just like to say how much i enjoyed working on this project with Peter, Lulwah, Vin and Luke.
I think the pilgrimage to Makkah is a subject that can appear confusing or even intimidating to a western audience.
I must confess it was not something I really understood or appreciated before starting this project.
The approach we decided to take was to ‘demystify’ the subject by clearly and simply explaining the origins of Makkah and Madinah and the procedure required to perform the Hajj. Our aim was to then to re-mystify (if that’s a word…) it by showing these breathtaking images of people throughout the ages performing these actions and expressing their devotion.
As a team I think we agree that this is project that we can develop and expand as the exhibition continues,
thanks again to all involved.
Chris.
Everyone who was involved in this project within Edge of Arabia was a great inspiration to the team. Peter’s vision and coices of images was great. Within a restricted time frame, Chris, Vin and Luke did an amazing job. Niether me nor Peter found difficulty with the team who were not familiar with this subject. Their creativity glowed beyond the boundries. Stephen’s support was great.
hanks to HRH Prince Mohamad Al Faisal for sponsoring the Makkah/Madinah room. Thanks to all the photographers who took these amazing shots that was elaborated by the prsentation.
Thank you team for being so great.
Lulwah
Everyone in my University keeps coming up to me telling me how much they LOVE the Makkah Room. They have all bought thier parents and friends to see it and keep begging to have a copy. One person said we should get it on Channel 4. There are always people sat inside, I find it’s where students go to just take a short relaxing break between lectures (and I even caught 2 Brunie Gallery security men in thier the other day)…
Visited the gallery today and was surprised by all the work.Like Arabia itself the whole experience was unique and art work beautiful.One can easily spend hours watching each piece.
Black and white and colour ,calligraphy ,curtians,royal chair,boxes,statues ,world of Alif Laila and Kabba with the man ,it is all inclusive not a revolution neither a revolt but a subtle statement of submission in front of God and than facing daily realities , ones inner mystries and trying to come to terms with inner and outer conflicts.The three floors have an atmosphere and spirit of its own.It is a journey ,very different one from rest of the art work of the world.It tells the tales and enrichment of its own culture and modernity.I also appreciate the architecture of the gallery and the stairs and the Japanese garden at the roof top.
Thank you for bringing this wonderful exhibition to LONDON.
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