Sculptures of Jeddah

When Mohamed Said Farsi became Mayor of Jeddah in 1972, at a pivotal moment in the Saudi Arabian city's history, he set himself the task of not only creating a modern city, but also to include in the concept a plan for public art: "To bring delight to the citizen, to give him a sense of wonder and also to stir his sense of history". Works were commissioned from world famous artists such as Jean Arp, Cesar, Alexander Calder, Eila Hiltunen, Julio Lafuente, Jacques Lipschitz, Joan Miro, Henry Moore, Arnaldo Pomodoro and Victor Vasarely, in a variety of media, including bronze, steel, concrete, marble and stone. Other sculptures were made by artists of the region from historical artifacts and recycled scrap metal, some from cars and planes. This book allows the world a glimpse into a city not easily visited and shows Saudi Arabia as a place of vision and innovation in the arts. Jeddah has grown since 1972 and now, in 2013, some 24 major pieces are being restored and re sited by the Abdul Latif Jameel Foundation and the Municipality of Jeddah in a new Open Air Museum on the sea front, known as the Corniche. As well as telling the story of the restoration and relocation of the 24 sculptures, this book also examines the history of this transformative moment in Jeddah and includes an extensive interview with Mayor Farsi and Fady Jameel of the Abdul Latif Jameel Foundation. It shows some 140 of the other important works situated around the city together with the views of the local community on living with this unique collection of 20th century public art.