Vanished Boundaries
This work is a tribute to a vanished coastline, a once magnificent boundary.
Bahrain’s relationship with the sea is not only a coastal one. The sea also influenced various social, economic, cultural, and political parameters. The appearance of cultured pearls in 1924, the Great Depression in 1929, the discovery of oil in 1932, and the resulting industrial and technological developments paved the way for many changes in Bahrain. These ramifications were seen as an opportunity to provide a modern way of life and strengthen the country’s economic position. In addition, reclamation activities were introduced as a way to expand the cities. However, this fragmented and altered Bahrain’s original boundaries or edges. Land reclamation added approximately 80 sq.km of land between 1987 and 2013, representing an increase of 12.5% in total land area and reaching a surface area of 780 sq.km in 2018.
In this project, I have traced these developments through researching archival maps and documenting the corresponding areas in their contemporary state photographically with a particular focus on Al Hidd in Muharraq. When looking through archival maps, a very clear and evident change can be noticed in Al Hidd’s coastal boundary and several of its small islands have disappeared. For example, Umm Al Shajar island (literally meaning “the mother of trees”), was located south of Al Hidd. It was known to have a spring of water that encouraged the plantation of palm trees and other products like watermelon. It is said that some Bahraini families used to live on this island until it was privatized in the late 60s, and the families were compensated with new houses on the Al Hidd mainland. After that, specifically during the late 70s, the Dry Dock project was established, the highway was built and the sea was gradually reclaimed, erasing the islands’ physical presence from modern day maps.
What caught my attention when comparing Al Hidd’s archival maps over the years, is that our generation and the generations to come will never know these islands. I personally didn’t know about their existence until I started researching for this project. As a result, the artworks seek to convey this experience to the viewers and to acknowledge the existence of these islands in Bahrain’s history.
Shown at ''If Roots Remembered & Water Turned to Sea'' Exhibition
April 2024 - May 2024
AlRiwaq Art Space, Bahrain
&
''At The Edge'' Exhibition
Dec 2022 - January 2023
Bin Matar House - Muharraq, Bahrain
