‘Qatt XR’ Project Aims to Bring Saudi Asiri Heritage to Digital Era

‘Qatt XR’ Project Aims to Bring Saudi Asiri Heritage to Digital Era

The al-Qatt al-Asiri, an art used to embellish walls of houses in Asir province in southwestern Saudi Arabia has jumped from the physical to the virtual world. The “Qatt XR” project that focuses on the art of Qatt al-Asiri aims to document and preserve the Saudi cultural and natural heritage by using digital photography, 3D simulations, location information, and open access solutions.

“The project’s idea came after the UNESCO added the Qatt al-Asiri on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List, which prompted us to think how we can make this art reach the largest audience around the world. The project aims to provide data, and 3D models for regional institutions, museums, researchers and fans,” Dr. Haifaa al-Hababi, member in the project, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Contributors of the Qatt al-Asiri project include Areej al-Wabel, Haifa al-Hababi, Leila al-Babtain, and Abdullah Mshantat. Qatt al-Asiri was selected by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture-Ithra among the five best projects partaking in the Creative Solutions Program.

“Creating digital models of the Qatt al-Asiri could help introduce it to younger generations, and make it easier to use, given its complexity and the expertise it requires. Digitizing this art has become more important after the pandemic, which proved to