Art and sunset, a photo from Makkah, East

Photographer's Note

We (and especially Gert) often complain that some places (quite many of them, in fact) are overcrowded with tourists. How is it to travel in the country with no tourists at all? Kasia tells us fascinating stories of her adventures in Afghanistan. One year ago I also wanted to see ho wit would be. When I learnt that it would be possible to go to Saudi Arabia, I just had to go. Kasia travelled with the guide, I was quite alone in a country with such a different culture. Wasn't I afraid to go? Of course, I was. For instance, I have read strange stories that they didn't serve the food in restaurants for the lone women. How to behave? Should I wear black abaya? But my curiosity was stronger. And luckily, my family had supported my crazy idea. It was a fascinating experience, maybe the most exotic of all my journeys. After the first evening in Jeddah, I saw that there is nothing to be afraid of, people were very friendly, looked at me with the same curiosity as I looked at them. They asked me why I came to SA. Was I a Muslim? When I told I just wanted to see the country, they stared in disbelief.
I had no problems. I was a bit nervous when I didn't know how to buy the bus ticket to Riyad. First, I couldn't find the bus station, but finally, I just bought it by mobile! I was so proud of myself. hahaha
Something amazing in Jeddah is that in the evening all families go to picnic along the shore of the Red Sea. Of course, bathing is forbidden, so they just sit in the lawns. Here the view of the sculpture park. There are many works by famous artists, like Mirу, Calder, Pomodoro, Moore.
The sculpture on the left is Bird by Mirу.

See also two Workshop pictures. I like the one with the Project for the Monument by Mirу more but I chose this one to show the people.

ChrisJ, Royaldevon, holmertz, pierrefonds, jhm, COSTANTINO, PaulVDV, PiotrF, jemaflor, adramad, ikeharel, worldcitizen, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (102612) 2020-11-20 0:59

Greeting.
Nice place and sculptures, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast, perspective and good text.
Beautiful photo and memory.
Nice departure of the day and a moment with visitors.
I wish you a nice day, all the best.
Paja.

ChrisJ (160008) 2020-11-20 1:03

Hello Malo

I like the twin minarets on the horizon and the 'holy' flame sculpture behind the seated group. It really is a hole! But well done so it actually looks like a flame. Undecided on the fg sculpture at left which looks mike a mutant dinosaur crossed with a coronavirus! I like the soft pastel colours too. Tfs!

Silvio1953 (205685) 2020-11-20 1:39

Ciao cara Malgo, lovely composition with original sculpture in FG, nice scene, splendid late evening light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (75378) 2020-11-20 1:42

Hello Malgo,

It must have been difficult to choose your main post but. to show us where all this took place was a good decision.(Thank you for the interesting notes, too. Personal experiences always interest us.)
The inclusion of the sculpture anchors the scene nicely and makes a link to the b/g verticals, the family neatly grouped in the middle.
I do like the idea that the children can go and touch the sculptures as well as play around them. It's a nice interaction and I sure, there would be no defacement!

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

holmertz (92842) 2020-11-20 1:43

Hello Malgo,
It's funny that Mirу said "Courage consists of staying at home". So you are very courageous now. ;-)
This is a very nice photo with a fine combination of people, sculptures and the distant view of the two slender minarets seen against a slightly pink sky. The light was getting weaker but you still had time for a good exposure with fine colours. The WS of the children playing with a sculpture is also very nice and bright.
Best regards,
Gert

abmdsudi (88537) 2020-11-20 1:48

Hi Malgorzata
An ideal spot for relaxation before nightfall with intriguing surrounding features, nicely exposed under low warm light. The near sculpture is a strong focal point. Excellent shot
Best regards

lousat (129945) 2020-11-20 1:55

Ciao Malgo,honestly I was more excited about your story of the trip than the photos. I don't like this type of modern sculptures, I remember the ones they put in Tuscany near the tower of Pisa and other tourist places, really horrendous. And even these are not to my taste, although there are also Italian artists among the authors, who will have yielded to petrodollars. The story is compelling, only a crazy woman like you could have made a trip here alone, but I'm glad everything went well. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

CMJC (4763) 2020-11-20 4:48 [Comment]

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pierrefonds (103519) 2020-11-20 5:20

Hi Malgo,

The distance between thescultures and the minarets is creating depth. The presenc eof the persons is animating the scene. The point of view is showing the details of the artworks. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (202989) 2020-11-20 9:56

Hello Malgo,

A very quiet picture with a family in foreground
Lovely panorama with different statues and minaretten.
You make a very well picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Tue (82232) 2020-11-20 10:17

Hello Malgo,
I like the soft colours of the sunset light here. The several works of art in this park are nicely scattered around the composition and also the two elegant minarets make a good addition. The people add a pleasant and calm mood.
Lars

COSTANTINO (104143) 2020-11-20 10:32

Hello dear friend and have a nice weekend
nice place and sculptures
i like the way you
captured this photo
regards
Costantino

PaulVDV (54833) 2020-11-20 11:34

Hello Malgo,
I'm a bit surprised. The sculptures I know of Joan Mirу are so colourful.
But I'm certainly not a specialist in this field.
Your main picture reminds me of scenes you can witness often in the country at the other side of the Gulf. Picnicking families on a lawn or anywhere is so often a leisure activity in Iran.
The sky has very pretty tones in your WS 1 while I really like the photo with the children and the sculpture in WS 2.
Glad that you liked Saudi Arabia so much. Somehow I think it wouldn't be for me after all.
Best regards, Paul

PiotrF (52330) 2020-11-20 15:41

Czesc Malgo
Ciekawy opis podrozy, chockojarze ze juz troche tych wspomnien bylo. Scena z parku urokliwa, piknik wsrod dziel szuki, a kraj niewatpliwie wart odwiedzenia.
pozdrawiam 8* :)
Piotr

jemaflor (135404) 2020-11-20 23:27

Hi Malgo,
well composed your view and WS about this place. Good effect with sculptures, people and mosque, good sharpness and light management, interesting of a not usually country presented, original trip, tfs.

adramad (66992) 2020-11-21 4:47

Hello Malgo.
I could not imagine that in a country so attached to traditions, finding this park with so many modern art sculptures, a place that people seem to like, only the two minarets that we see in the background makes us think of an eastern country.
Point of view, sharpness, lightness, color and the chosen composition are excellent.
Have a good weekend.
Best regards.
Luis.

jmdias (102878) 2020-11-21 12:03

malgo

como esculturas sгo mal vistas pelo islг eu imagino que todas as esculturas desse parque sгo assim abstratas e nгo muito parecidas com pessoas. haha. linda vista com os minaretes adiante e as esculturas em evidкncia.

um abraзo

jorge

worldcitizen (14272) 2020-11-22 12:42

Hello Malgo,
It's always interesting for me to see photos from Saudi Arabia. I like the relaxed atmosphere in this scene. It's a nice combination of families enjoying the evening, and the public artwork. The little boy in the red shirt really stands out, too. Please take and stay well...

macjake (96157) 2020-11-23 15:23

Hi Malgo
not exactly a country that many people think of when booking a travel destination - but that's what makes these even better.
Reading your not we can hear and feel the excitement and how proud you were of yourself, thats fantastic! I wish I could have gone with you. You have many photos to share here, but even better are the experiences you will have with you forever. great shots of these unknown places for us who do not live here. cheers
Craig