Al Jahili is a historic fort in Al Ain, one of the largest and most impressive in the country. Barker Langham were commissioned to develop a number of key interpretive elements as part of a comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation project of this important site.
We curated Mubarak Bin London, the first major permanent exhibition of Wilfred Thesiger’s photographs. Our work included brokering an on-going partnership between our client and the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, who house the Thesiger photographic collection. Our team provided a comprehensive curatorial service, including initial research and storyline development, picture selection and script-writing. We edited and wrote the accompanying exhibition catalogue, a best-seller at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair. We also commissioned and worked with a media producer to create an introductory film shown within the exhibition.
Barker Langham also developed a temporary exhibition about the Jahili Fort rehabilitation project, focusing on the archaeological excavation, use of traditional building techniques and use of cutting-edge sustainable technologies.
We are currently working with a local media producer to develop an immersive walk-through A/V installation on the history of Al Ain, to be housed in the former watchtower. We are also carrying out an oral history project of the British soldiers who were stationed at Jahili to garner further insights into the social history of the fort.
