New US embassy in Islamabad to get $400,000 camel sculpture

[Edevelop]

The US State Department is planning to spend $400,000 in taxpayer funds to buy a sculpture for the new American embassy being built in Islamabad, according to Buzzfeed.com.

The sculpture titled “Camel Contemplating Needle” is the work of American contemporary artist John Baldessari and it depicts a life-sized white camel made of fiberglass staring at an over-sized threading needle.

Officials explained the decision to purchase such an expensive art piece for the embassy through a four-page document by saying: “This artist’s product is uniquely qualified. Public art which will be presented in the new embassy should reflect the values of a predominantly Islamic country.”

In a statement, State Department press spokesperson Christine Foushee said the proposed purchase comes from the department’s “Office of Art in Embassies.” In new construction projects, she said, a small part of the total funds, about 0.5%, is spent on art purchases.

Steven Beyer of Beyer Projects, the art dealer for the project, said the government reached out. “They approached us,” he said. “We were, of course, quite surprised.”

The $400,000 price tag “is actually a very a reduced price for this sculpture,” he said. “There is an art market that makes these prices, and this is one of the most prominent American artists.”

Another copy of “Camel Contemplating a Needle” is on display at Hall Wines in Napa Valley, California.

New US embassy in Islamabad to get $400,000 camel sculpture – The Express Tribune

 

[waz]

It may confuse the TTP.

I could just see it now crazed bomber, wide eyed, dribbling at the mouth running toward the embassy, victory in sight. Then low and behold he sees a beautiful camel, so white, so beautiful. He then forgets his mission and then starts humping the camel enthusiastically.

 

[Fdsa]

lol

 

[Muhammad Omar]

It may confuse the TTP.

I could just see it now crazed bomber, wide eyed, dribbling at the mouth running toward the embassy, victory in sight. Then low and behold he sees a beautiful camel, so white, so beautiful. He then forgets his mission and then starts humping the camel enthusiastically.

Hahahaha U have a point.... but Still 400.000 just for a sculpture isn't that too much...

 

[Kompromat]

Waste of money. They could have built four descent schools with this money which would also have helped develop a friendlier image on the US.

@CENTCOM

 

[VCheng]

What a great choice for this particular location!

 

[RazPaK]

They should have built a sculpture of deez nutz.

Morons.

 

[PakmanUSA]

America is nothing but a place they wastes money! Hell America gives more money to Israel that what it spends on our educational system from what I know! Yeah, I agree some Jihadi will see the camel and be so distracted he'll forget why he's there! Until the timer goes off! LOL

 

[VCheng]

America is nothing but a place they wastes money!

It makes a lot of money too.

 

[TOPGUN]

There goes our tax dollars thx.....

 

[Jaanbaz]

<<<

 

[That Guy]

One question, why? It's not like Pakistan is an Arab country, so camels seem like an odd choice.

 

[VCheng]

One question, why? It's not like Pakistan is an Arab country, so camels seem like an odd choice.

Threading a camel through a needle?

Mark 10:25: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Seems entirely appropriate to the situation.

 

[dawn_news]

One question, why? It's not like Pakistan is an Arab country, so camels seem like an odd choice.

Terrorists are wahabis, camels are needed to confuse them.

 

[That Guy]

Threading a camel through a needle?

Mark 10:25: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Seems entirely appropriate to the situation.

Well that just seems silly and counterproductive then. The price tag contradicts the philosophy behind the sculpture