Ahmed Mater

Desert of Pharan

Unofficial Histories behind the Mass Expansion of Mecca

Mecca, until recently, embodied a unique urban tapestry, layered with histories that are stitched together by an abundance of organically rooted communities and cultures. It’s a place that accommodated not only sacred structures and sites but also huge fluctuations in population during Ramadan. More recently, these sites and communities have been eradicated and are being replaced by five-star-studded high rise developments, transforming it from an active metropolis to the world’s most exclusive, yet most visited religious tourist destination. This photographic essay is a celebration of Mecca's real and projected or imaginary states. It provides singular access to this site and its associated social and religious rituals, along with its architectural urban planned and proposed development.

Mecca, until recently, embodied a unique urban tapestry, layered with histories that are stitched together by an abundance of organically rooted communities and cultures. It’s a place that accommodated not only sacred structures and sites but also huge fluctuations in population during Ramadan. More recently, these sites and communities have been eradicated and are being replaced by five-star-studded high rise developments, transforming it from an active metropolis to the world’s most exclusive, yet most visited religious tourist destination. This photographic essay is a celebration of Mecca's real and projected or imaginary states. It provides singular access to this site and its associated social and religious rituals, along with its architectural urban planned and proposed development.


“an unvarnished photographic catalog of the city
The New York Times

“Saudi artist Ahmed Mater captures the grittier side of the holy city – the migrant workers, the tireless construction and the eye-opening sprawl”
The Guardian


Author(s): Ahmed Mater

Edited by Catherine David

Design: Integral Lars Müller

20 × 26.4 cm, 7 ¾ × 10 ¼ in

632 pages, 623 illustrations

paperback

2016, 978-3-03778-485-3, English
CHF 50.00

Ahmed Mater

Ahmed Mater (*1979) is an artist and physician. He grew up in Saudi Arabia, where he trained as a doctor before he studied art at the Al-Miftaha Arts Village in Abha. He led a young artist collective and co-founded the non-profit entity, Edge of Arabia. Working at the intersection between science and contemporary art, Mater is widely recognised as one of the most important voices of contemporary Saudi Arabia. His works have been shown in international institutions and entered public and private collections. In 2016, Mater became the first Saudi artist to have a solo exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Lukas Niederberger and Lars Müller (eds.)

Faith Is.

CHF 30.00