This sculpture called "Science and Religion" used to be located in the center of a lagoon near Jeddah's Corniche. The whole area surrounding the sculpture was transformed about a year ago so now it no longer stands in a body of water. The Jeddah Waterfront project beautified the Red Sea coastline with lovely walkways, plantings, playgrounds, piers, exercise and swimming areas, and much more.
Science and Religion is the work of Spanish architect and sculptor Julio Lafuente. Made entirely of marble, the sculpture consists of 72 spheres that represent the waxing and waning moons and is topped off with a crescent moon. To see more photos and learn more about this sculpture, CLICK HERE.
A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post. Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah. Follow him on Twitter @ayaa1977
I like it. A curious title, given that the two usually go together like oil and water.
ReplyDeleteHi William - Interestingly enough, science is a very integral part of Islam. Muslims are not science deniers, like other religions seem to be.
ReplyDeleteThe Quran actually encourages Muslims to "study nature and investigate the truth." I believe this sculpture combines both science and religion effectively - the science being the monthly phases of the moon and its appearance during those phases, and the religion being the great importance of the new moon, marking both the beginning and the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when all Muslims fast during the daylight hours.