Take a moment to behold a marvel destined to vanish from sight—an ephemeral masterpiece unveiled amidst the boundless expanse of the Saudi desert, nestled within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra in AlUla. A pair of hands that fade back into the sand. This is the ultimate in sustainable art.
New York artist, David Popa: ephemeral earth frescoes created with earth pigments, charcoal and water.
Dubbed “Hands from Sands” by David Popa, the sculpture was commissioned for the I Care campaign. This initiative, orchestrated by the Royal Commission of AlUla, serves as a clarion call to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s cultural legacy.
Crafted from sustainable materials “Hands from Sands” epitomizes preservation, echoing the campaign’s overarching mission to nurture and conserve the country’s historical tapestry. It’s a mixed message, since Saudi Arabia is also building the 15-minute-city, The Line and other extravagant cities and holiday destinations.
More about the site: Once a bustling node along ancient trade routes, Hegra now stands as an open-air museum, boasting over a hundred meticulously preserved tombs and rock carvings.
In the canvas of Hegra, “Hands from Sands” spans over a hundred meters. For Popa, the process transcends mere creation; it is a communion with nature, a dance with the elements. Employing only natural materials, delicately mixed with source water, the artist imbues his creation with the spiritual.
AlUla includes other sites to see such as Maraya, a venue covered in mirrors. And Saudi Arabia is building a slow train to Jordan.
Maraya in Alula
