Marco Polo

«Born in the Republic of Venice, he is considered one of the greatest explorers of all time. Together with his father Niccolò and his uncle Matteo, was among the first Westerners to come to China, which he called Chatai, along the Silk Road. The chronicles of his journey were transcribed by the writer in French Rustichello Pisa, his fellow prisoner in Genoa. Were collected in a book entitled Deuisament du monde, better known as the Million». (Giovanni Longo)

«The Black Arch is also about a journey, about transition; inspired by Marco Polo and fellow 13th century traveller Ibn Battuta5 – both examples of how to bridge cultures through travel.
Shadia explains how she felt a desire to follow Marco Polo’s example and “to bring my city of Makkah to Venice, through objects brought from there: a Black Arch; a cubic city, and a handful of Muzdalifah pebbles.”
The artists focus on the similarities between the two cosmopolitan cities and their inspirational powers. The double vision of two women, two sisters, two artists unfolds in a world of ritual and tradition which, however,confronts the day-to-day reality of human behaviour with simplicity». (Thomas Tiozzo)

The Black Arch
The artists
Title
Jeddah
Mecca
Haji
Venice airport