I was given a great opportunity to join in on the carving of was one of the biggest sand sculpture exhibitions ever undertaken. Around 60 sculptors, from all around the world descended on Kuwait to create this sculpture park which was around four football fields in size and raising to a height of 6 stories. Based on the theme of 'One thousand and one Arabian night' it was an unforgettable experience.
During my five weeks on location, I was tasked with the job of creating two different sculptures to depict the story of 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves'. This post will be exploring my first one with Morgiana pouring hot oil into the pots that the 40 thieves were hiding in. Bringing about their demise. In the next post, I will share the second piece I worked on which is of the cave where the thieves kept their booty (no, not that kind of booty).
Before beginning our work we were told to be respectful of the audience and told that for religious reasons we were not to create elements that were too lifelike as in Muslim countries this was not allowed. Instantly I thought these restrictions were a great opportunity to go more abstract with my work and try to stylize my sculpture to fit the brief. Many looked at these as censorships and repressions but for me, it opened the floodgates of creativity. Which is really what I didn't expect working in this part of the world
In the name of God
I decided to play with flowing surfaces when it came to designing Morgiana and the thieves, with textured patterns to give it shadow and details inspired by elements I found in Kuwaiti culture and design. I think it was abstract enough to not offend Mohomed or any other deities that may have been watching.
The sand composition I was given was quite odd, with just one small compaction and a bank of sand stretching away behind it. I had a lot of shovelling to do in the warm damp air. Luckily, I had lots of time the I was so happy to be working on this exciting project so a little discomfort was a fair penance.
I didn't have forty days or forty knights
I carved most of the forty thieves as just pots of different sizes to give the composition an interesting perspective. The ones around Margana were simplified due to the sand being very soft and I did not want to undercut or make the sand too steep. I knew that this would be an area very close to the public and their poking fingers so, I kept the surfaces simple for repairs, I also liked the way these simple forms added contrast to the figure.
Not to cop out completely I did make one thief on the ground. I thought that working in a desert country I wouldn't have to worry about rain like I do in Ireland but the project was hit with two major storms that caused lots of damage to the sculptures which meant lots of repairs. The thief which I made was badly damaged with cracks and a broken shoulder but I thought it added to the piece so left it as it was. It was like the sculpture had fallen over in his pot and smashed to the ground.
I had an amazing time in Kuwait with all my fellow carvers. To see thousands of tonnes of sand being formed by the best sculptors in the world into what felt like a city was unforgettable. I found the people of Kuwait to be very friendly and had some nice memories.
Kuwait: Whykipedia
As a country, Kuwait is very odd. You will probably remember it best from that disaster movie 'Desert Storm' It was the first Televised War with daily reports from the frontline leading to great news media ratings.
In 1990 they were invaded by Iraq. From my understanding, Kuwait was oil drilling at an angle under Iraq and taking oil from under their feet. Of course, they weren't too happy about this and president Saddam Hussein, who was up to then a friend of the west due to being an enemy of an enemy decided to go in and take the oil back. (This is a heavily abridged version).
The invasion was met with lots of international disapproval and bombs started flying resulting in lots of countries getting involved that actually shouldn't have. These countries also liked oil and were very willing to stake their claim. What followed was a whole movie franchise with one episode being more unbelievable than the last. Spreading to many other counties and with a real B list cast of characters. Like 'The Fast and Furious' it doesn't know when to stop or how it even got started in the first place.
Black gold to orange gold
Oil is the main thing that makes Kuwait tick. Up to its discovery, it was mostly groupings of Bedouins moving around, living in peace. Oil, as you know, greases the gears of the world economy and like most countries in the middle east, it probably would have been better off of it never found the thing.
Most people don't work, instead, they live off the dole, getting money from the government from all the oil that is sold. Everyone is rich. For Now! At least until the oil runs out and the country is destroyed as they muck up their environment.
I imagine making this sand sculpture project was a hope to lead the country away from its reliance on oil and into a more tourist-based economy. The sand in this region is surprisingly good and I do hope that more projects like this can happen.
As sculptors, we had a great time and you could really see that in the quality of the work but to find out how the whole thing worked out You will have to tune in next time.
Ps
Thanks for reading. I use PeakD to document my work as an ephemeral Sculptor of sand, snow and ice, amongst other things. This will hopefully give it a new life on the Hive Blockchain. Below you will find some of my recent posts.
Bad Grandpa - ice sculpture
Rescue - sand sculpture
Gift of the gab - sand sculpture
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