"Poetic Camel", made of fireproof fibre-glass painted with Arabesque art and a poem penned by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, is going under the hammer for $2,000 online.
That is the starting price for the uniquely designed 60 life-size camels and 15 table-top models. They range from a "Genie" camel to one with a mosaic of mirrors, for which bids can be placed by visiting www.camelcaravan.ae.
The Camel Caravan, which merges art and commerce and inspired by public art events in the West, has become one of Dubai's signature art icons.
"The Genie", designed by Filipino kitchen artist Wilfredo Baysauli, won the "Fun and Family" category. Proceeds from its auction will benefit Al Noor Centre for Special needs and Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
Baysauli was one of dozens of professional and amateur artists who joined Camel Caravan, which also included painters, sculptors, architects, graphic artists, art teachers and students.
It took two weeks and five people at the Latifa School in Dubai to dress up "Top Camel", which won in the Heritage and Culture category.
Painted in gold-and-silver tones and embellished in Mashrabia pattern and topped by a colourful saddle blanket on its back, the camel was designed by Isabel Hemphill, an art teacher at the school. Proceeds from the sale of "Top Camel" will go to the nine charities.
"Dubai Dream", covered in silver and blue-mirrored glass by Loretta BilinskaiteBurke (a London-trained artist from Lithuania) and Jenjira Prasertsin (Thai mosaic artist), was the undisputed people's favourite for the Art and Beauty category.
On receiving their award yesterday, Bilinskaite-Burke said: "Our camel reflects the world around it. It has a life of its own as no two reflections are the same when viewed from different angles."
Prasertsin, a Dubai-based mosaic artist, said: "There's is an emotional reward when you do something you know will help others.
More than 60 camels, including the youngsters' favourite a camel in Spiderman suite are displayed for public viewing for a week at the Dubai Internet City's lakeside.
About 15 table-top camel models are also being auctioned online.
The project also enjoys the backing of the Rotary Club of Dubai, the Dubai Municipality, community leaders, educators and dozens of leading local and international businesses.
About 3,000 electronic votes were logged as the public voted for the favourite camel online for the Dubai Municipality awards.
"Camel Caravan reinforces Dubai's commitment to nurture arts and culture and create entertaining events for visitors and residents," said Ken Palmer, who conceived the idea with his wife Patricia.
Since January, the hand-painted camels have grazed all over Dubai in highly visible locations where pedestrians and motorists could see them.
How to place your bids* Online bidding (www.camelcaravan.ae) started yesterday and runs until the first week of May. Prices start at $2,000.
* Bidders can register via the website for the online-only auction. A buy-it-now option costs $35,000.
* The life-size camel models stand six-foot-two and nine-foot long bolted onto a 300-lb slab of concrete and weighing between 120 kg to 240 kg.
Gulf News
