Spanish architect and sculptor Julio Lafuente is credited with creating at least thirty of Jeddah’s distinctive monuments. This one is called “Science and Religion.” Standing in the middle of a manmade lagoon in the city’s famous Corniche which runs along the Red Sea, this towering obelisk is comprised of 72 solid marble “moons,” each weighing a whopping 1.8 tons. Such intense care had to be taken in erecting this work of art that it took six weeks to completely install it. The crescent moon at the very top is a symbol of Islam. Lafuente worked for the city’s planning and beautification program for six years and was responsible for some of Jeddah’s most beautiful sculptures which I have featured in previous posts, like The Dallah Fountain, The Holy Koran, The Mameluke Lanterns, The Bicycle, The Illuminated Globe, and The Verse Boat.
About This Blog, and About Me: Susie of Arabia
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is KSA's 2nd largest city and is located on its west coast, right on the Red Sea. I moved here in 2007 with my Saudi hubby. This journal reflects the things that I see here, life through my eyes, my lens.
Please be sure to also visit my other blog, SUSIE OF ARABIA (formerly SUSIE'S BIG ADVENTURE), which relates my experiences, thoughts, and observations about living in Saudi Arabia.
Join our Facebook group:
Susie of Arabia/BlueAbaya.
EMAIL me at :
susieofarabia@gmail.com
JEDDAH DAILY PHOTO 
Pingback: SkyWatch: Sculpture Maintenance « JEDDAH DAILY PHOTO JOURNAL
When I was little, whenever we’d drive by this sculpture, i’d always wonder how’d it feel to cross that “bridge” connecting the statue to the land. I still have those thoughts with me. Hahaha!
Incredible!
Pingback: Accident Sculpture « JEDDAH DAILY PHOTO JOURNAL
Pingback: My 300th Post! Koranic Verse Sculpture « JEDDAH DAILY PHOTO JOURNAL
I always thought that all the spherical things under the moon were made to represent the mud pots. I remember reading a story when I was a kid, where the people in a village pile up large number of mud pots to climb on it and touch the moon.
Thanks for the info!
Susie: What a neat sculpture, nicely captured.
Hi Sonia – I think the people here appreciate the public art here but maybe they don’t know that much about it and they might take it for granted since they see it every day. Whereas an outsider like me may take more of an interest in learning more about the art work.
Hi JM – I’m so glad you like it!
Hi Billie – Thanks for your comment! I have a great book called “Jeddah – City of Art” which was written by the mayor of Jeddah’s son (the mayor was responsible for commissioning all of the art back in the 70s and 80s). Unfortunately the book does not have all the artwork in it and was published in 1991. More art has been added over the years. I also have found limited info on the web and gotten a few stories from real people here.
Hi Judy – Thanks for stopping by!
An astonishing amount of work went into this sculpture. It’s very unique.
Susie, I always enjoy not only your photos of the sculptures,but also the information about the artists. How do you find so many facts and historical data? Do you search the internet, or do you have books or other printed material? Just curious! You do a marvelous job with this collection of photos AND your original blog.
This is just great!
Oh wow, this is beautiful…Its amazing how much work and effort was put in, because it looks quite simple at first glance. Do people in Jeddah understand and appreciate these works of art?