A New Lens On AlUla: Through The Eyes of Robert Polidori
Nothing quite prepares you for the powerful beauty of AlUla’s dramatic landscape and heritage, dating back to pre-Islamic times. Bazaar spoke to the Canadian photographer as he shared the stories behind his incredible images of the ancient city here…
Saudi’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was only a matter of time before it was captured by some of the world’s most talented photographers; in this instance, the award-winning Robert Polidori, who spent 10 days discovering the ancient city to complete a new book for luxury publishers, Assouline. The beautiful new tome also features hyper-real illustrations by Gucci-approved Ignasi Monreal, perfectly showcasing the dream-like nature of the place.
What caught your eye when you first landed in AlUla?
The fantastic erosion patterns in the limestone rock formations. The entire region seems to have been sculpted by one of nature’s master artists. Only two world cultural sites are really comparable – AlUla and Petra – and they stand alone in their own unique ways.
What did you want to capture through your lens?
At the risk of sounding cliché, I wanted to capture a certain truth about the nature of the place. AlUla is a combination of masterfully sculpted façades and interior spaces cut into colourful limestone rock formations. It is indeed rare to walk inside interiors that are actually sculpted and not built, as is the case in the rest of the world. Also, I must add that the local date-palm cultivation that also occurs in proximity to these Nabataean sites adds a great deal of amazing colour contrast and impressive beauty.
How long did it take to make the book?
I was in AlUla for a total of 10 days but I would have loved to have stayed there at least twice as long.
What was the biggest challenge about the project?
The ambient temperature at the time of the year when I was there.
What did you enjoy the most about it?
The natural beauty. Beauty is – of course – a personal, subjective perception. But as far as I am concerned, this location is one of the most visually striking desert regions I have ever seen. It is almost as if God decided one day to paint and sculpt a landscape.
What recommendations would you give to visitors?
To be open-hearted and open-minded to experience something which they have never experienced before in their life.
Illustrations: Ignasi Monreal.
Photography: Robert Polidori
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s October 2020 issue