Genius of the Place: Al-Bunt

An exceptional immersive journey across time and space to unravel the soul of this iconic building. Genius of the Place: Al-Bunt book series is an invitation to embark on an exceptional immersive journey across time and space, to unravel the soul of this iconic building. Commissioned by Saudi Arabiäs Ministry of Culture, five reknown photographers and five international writers and poets from Saudi Arabia, the Arab region, and Europe, have mobilized their talent to capture the essence and spirit of Al-Bunt. The result is an astonishing collection of rare images accompanied by a compelling narrative, that take the reader on a visual and historic voyage uncovering the ¿genius of the place¿ called Al-Bunt. For, this photography book collection not only exhibits the beauty of Al-Bunt with its spectacular arches, stunning exterior walls and wooden windows, but it also magically reveals the subliminal sense of the place by intertwining images and words, materiality of the space and immateriality of the stories conveyed by the building, Jeddah, and the Red Sea. The breathtaking photos encapsulate the soul of the building, which seems to exist not only through its concrete material, but above all through its imposing presence and personality. Signs of damage and deterioration, abandoned objects, traces of time and use of the place, all captured in the photographs, bring back life to Al-Bunt and reveal its intangible spirit.