Source: The Royal Commission for AlUla
Location: AlUla-Saudi Arabia
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STORY
WHO: DR ABDULRAHMAN ALSUHAIBANI & DAVID POPA
WHAT: THE ROYAL COMMISSION FOR ALULA COLLABORATE WITH ARTIST DAVID POPA
WHERE: REMOTE INTERVIEWS PRE-REC AND LIVE
WHEN: THURSDAY 1ST FEBRUARY
Today, Thursday 1st February, The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the cultural custodian of northwest Arabia launches a new month-long heritage conservation campaign called I Care.
The aim is to shine a local, nation and global spotlight on the importance of RCU’s diverse and ongoing heritage protection projects in AlUla as the country continues to be developed into the world’s largest living museum.
It will promote the need to safeguard AlUla’s diverse landscape of cultural assets, including natural and manmade monuments, as a means of boosting economic development, driving community engagement, and expanding people’s knowledge and appreciation of their AlUla’s storied past – goals that align with the aims of Saudi Vision 2030.
As an iconic first phase of the campaign, RCU has partnered with the acclaimed US artist David Popa to create a unique, landmark piece set within the landscape of AlUla itself. The artwork, which takes the shape of two protective hands, is constructed around the iconic Tomb of Lihyan, Son of Kuza, a monumental heritage destination at Hegra which was designated as Saudi Arabia’s first World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.
Famous for his sustainable approach and innovative techniques, Popa’s artwork is symbolic of I Care’s ambition to carefully protect and cherish places of great historic and cultural value – vulnerable sites that resonate deeply with the community and global heritage experts alike.
An impressive and ephemeral piece of creativity constructed using exclusively natural elements, including yellow earth from Europe and red earth from the Middle East, it is one of Popa’s largest to date. Designed to disintegrate in a matter of weeks, Popa’s artwork highlights the pressing need for collective action to safeguard cultural heritage locations in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, and the wider world.
Dr Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani believes I Care is not just a campaign, it’s a celebration of AlUla’s and the Kingdom’s legacy and traditions.
Alongside Dr Abdulrahman is David Popa, the artist behind the art installation, both are available for interviews.
Guests:
Available for live and pre-recorded down the line or virtual interviews:
- Dr Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani - Executive Director of Archaeology, Conservation and Collections at RCU
- David Popa, International artist – artist behind the art installation
Additional Information:
For more information on The Royal Commission for AlUla and its programmes, visit www.rcu.gov.sa.
ENDS
Noted for editors:
It is always AlUla / not Al-Ula
About the Royal Commission for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the area’s natural
and historic heritage while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.
B-roll and other materials including images will also be made available on Red Robots MediaGRAB:https://mediagrab.press/view/package/402
Broadcasters Contact: paul@redrobot.org
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1. GV’s of the drone footage art installation
2. Stills of Art installation
3. Footage of AlUla and artist Davis Popa working on art installation
4. English soundbites: David Popa - International Artist
5. Arabic Soundbites: Dr Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani - Executive Director of Archaeology, Conservation and Collections at RCU.
English script of Arabic interview: Dr Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani - Executive Director of Archaeology, Conservation and Collections at RCU.
I Care is a heritage conservation project by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), aimed at driving a greater appreciation of the cultural heritage.
The campaign that was launched on February 1st, is designed to promote the safeguarding of the rich tangible and intangible cultural assets, and targets citizens, residents and visitors.
I Care highlights the importance of heritage conservation and promotes the safeguarding of our cultural assets to boost economic development, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
RCU has partnered with US artist David Popa, known for his sustainable approach and techniques. In his largest work to date, using natural elements he has created the shape of two protective hands around the most prominent tomb at Hegra.
Meant to disintegrate in a matter of weeks, the artwork highlights the need for collective action to protect Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.
We are engaging with AlUla Schools to promote heritage conservation among Saudi youth with toolkits for educators and colouring books for children.
We are also engaging multiple advocates and heritage sites in the conversation to protect the country’s cultural heritage, while promoting pride in our cultural assets
1 February 2024
