Posts Tagged “geraldmclean”
With the recent addition of the House of Musical Arts to the Royal Opera House Muscat (RHOM), I take a moment during a heartfelt visit to the Sultanate of Oman to pay my respects following the sad passing of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and check the ‘State of the Nation’.
In my down time I distracted myself with my favourite thing; Photography.
Here are a few of the test shots for a photographic study of the project.
Situated within visual distance to Oman’s first international hotel (1977). As my first assignment in Oman (1991) was to produce the photography for their brochure. So I have found memories of ‘Muscat Intercontinental Hotel’, which is currently coming to the end of yet anther refit, following its major centennial refit by British architect Keith Jarvis and the team at Huckle and Partners, Muscat.
Interior of the House of Musical Arts
The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) was constructed by Carillion Alawi, and completed in 2011.
It is the addition of the House of Musical Arts (2019) and its pedestrian bridge link to the Opera House, that has peeked my interest in the project. I think it differentiates it from other such projects and adds balance to the complexe’s non-arts amenities such as cafes, eateries and high-end shops in keeping with and catering to auspicious tastes.
Once the study is complete all photographs will be held by the Royal Institute of British Architects photographic library RIBApix, who hold a growing number of my works, including the 1990 study of The Palace of the Parliament (Romanian: Palatul Parlamentului) by architect Anca Petrescu (1949 – 2013).
geraldmclean
Oman takes unprecedented proactive and positive action to protect Heritage and Tourism Industry
The Sultanate of Oman is to be applauded for the quick-thinking and unprecedented proactive and positive steps in suspending the country’s international tourism activities. Thereby protecting the tourism industry and their citizens, in particular the elderly population, who (not forgetting Oman’s National Museum), are the living embodiment of the nation’s culture and heritage.
From the 15th March for a period of 30 days, the countries international tourism industry will effectively be suspended, along with a number of other measures, as reported in the Oman Daily Observer. The farsighted and responsible steps were instigated by The Supreme Committee, which was formed by the government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and presents a timely opportunity for the Ministry of Tourism to assess the viability of the tourism industry and what associated or additional services may be needed to make the industry future-proof and sustainable.
This period of transition provides those companies within Oman, an opportunity to reassess their working practices and offerings, to include further services and checks that ensure all tourist entering Oman – including persons on business, migrant workers, residents and citizens – a safe environment in what is possibly the world’s healthiest and secure country to holiday, work and live.
The Supreme Committee actions to the worldwide issue is typical of the Omani government vigilance of its elders, citizens and visitors alike. The country’s capacity and care for others is clear to see in their openness and tolerance to people of all nations and it is with this care and planning that once the current challenge passes and further health checks and precautions are in place, the project Oman Life Stories will continue apace.
From the pages of; taSauwur Sultanate of Oman
8th March 1992, AI-Ashkara; 350km from the capital area, approximately four and a half hours drive, with tarmac roads all the way. I headed along ‘Route 23’ to Sur, then turned right after 280km (3hrs), onto Route 35, then followed the road to AI-Ashkara. There I met Thbit Hamad Hassan, who teaches English at Ras Qumayla Primary School, and his friend Mohamed Salim, who showed me around the town.
That was almost 28 years ago.
Today I met him again and what a day we had…
The whole story to be told in the publication and exhibition of Oman Life Stories…