Say Whaaaa Wednesday... Wait a minute, this isn't my camel?!

There is never an end to the unusually intriguing list of controversial art creations is there? I came across a piece created by Human Mulji, a Pakistani artist, titled “Arabian Delight” in which a taxidermy camel is stuffed into an oversized suitcase. Brilliant isn’t it? However, this kind of work was a little too far out for the Arabs to handle at Art Dubai in 2008 where it was showcased. They had strong resentment towards the piece as they felt the camel, which is their national animal and a fluent symbol of pride, was being shown in an offensive manor.

It is said the piece was constructed to reveal the neglected issue of the import-export business of contraband by way of personal luggage; more importantly, some claim it was a strong reference towards the young men imported by Arabs to serve as camel-jockeys.

Whatever the case, I am still unable to define my personal intake on this piece. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the originality and believe in the whole “art for the sake of art” thing; I tend to steer clear of any analytical and philosophical interpretations of art. I think what’s turning me off is, quite simply, the ugliness of camels. Let’s face it, camels are rather homely animals. Is that vain I cannot see paste the physical appearance of an art piece in order to appreciate its purpose? Perhaps… perhaps, and that is all.