The Desert Relics, Our latest piece celebrates the craft of Mleiha’s artifacts through a grand land art installation, made of and from desert sand.
© Elias El Hage
Renowned for its archaeological significance within the Arab region, Mleiha fosters a broad collection of the region’s artefactual heritage. ‘The Desert Relics’ draw inspiration from a selection of Mleiha’s ancient relics, visually expressing the “unearthing of an artifact” through a variety of vessel-like geometries.
© Elias El Hage
Twelve modular totems rise to monumental heights against the mountain backdrop — in the symbolic form of stacked vessel vases, a grand bejeweled necklace, or a set of ancient stones.
© Elias El Hage
Each piece is unique in color and form, and like all ancient crafts, is fully handmade of and from the earth.
© Elias El Hage
The permanent installation was unveiled at the 2024 Tanweer Festival, and designed as a contribution to Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s inspiring vision to timelessly celebrate Mleiha’s cultural heritage and rich desertscapes.
Project Info
Architects: Karim+Elias
Country: United Arab Emirates, Milehah
Area: 3850 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Elias El Hage
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.