Muscat, (ONA) The archaeological moment immortalization in art project continues its restoration activities in the neighbourhoods of Al Ain and Al Sawad in the village of Imti in the wilayat of Izki with the great cooperation of the villagers and with the support and contribution of Omani companies and governmental and private institutions and individuals and plastic artists who participated in the charitable exhibition of Imti held in Zubair House Museum.
This project is one of the most important voluntary pilot projects, which were implemented by the artist, Maryam Al-Zadjali, at the beginning of 2019, with the aim of highlighting the features of a country rich in ancient heritage and history that dates back for thousands of years. Omani people contributed to building castles, forts, and archaeological villages, which are famous for their picturesque beauty and distinct identity, and they deserve to be a material from which the plastic artists inspire in research and creativity to top their artistic projects.
The project is based on providing an exceptional idea in which the artists employ their long experience and expertise in the field of plastic arts, through a modern historical artistic conception that makes the village a painting with its natural vocabulary, such as falajs, water, rocks, mountains, plains, trees and orchards to reflect the painting on its daily reality on a long and original history.
The people had a human role in promoting its principles and behaviours, so it became pronounced an Omani identity and a cultural heritage that the generations of the village inherit its manifestations and symbols to give it a creative case that makes it a formative painting worthy of reflection, examination and protection.
Artist Maryam Al-Zadjali confirms that although the current period was difficult due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it resulted in beneficial results for the village. The restoration work has continued in some important places there, which are considered the heart of the village and attractive artistic and touristic elements related to the ancient past, with tremendous and supportive efforts and great support from the people of Imti Village to develop the neighbourhoods of Al Ain and Al Sawad and preserve their original historical features.
Artist Mariam confirmed that the restoration and repair process in this project took place in several stages. In the first stage, the Sabah Al Souqmah Gate, the entrance, the wall, and the well were restored with the addition of aesthetic elements. In the second stage, a plastic lighting was installed in front of the village entrance, in cooperation with the Muscat Municipality and the Izki Municipality.
As for the third stage, the Sabah Al Sarim Gate, the internal corridors, and the public hall have been restored, and some aesthetics have been added to the mosque, the Tanour (shiwa place) and the place of halwa making.
She pointed out that there is a futuristic vision to make the village of Imti as a tourist artistic village in which artists from all over the world are hosted, and to form artistic and photographic forums and various artistic activities which aim to support the tourism sector activity in the country.