The State Department plans to spend $400,000 to place a fiberglass statue of a camel staring at the eye of a giant needle at the U.S. embassy being built in Islamabad, Pakistan.. Even as the U.S.’s debt continues to spiral out of control
The work titled “Camel Contemplating Needle,”, by noted American artist John Baldessari, depicts a life-size white camel made of fiberglass staring in puzzlement at the eye of an oversize shiny needle.
Officials explained the decision to purchase the piece of art, in a four-page document justifying a “sole source” procurement. “This artist’s product is uniquely qualified,” the document explains. “Public art which will be presented in the new embassy should reflect the values of a predominantly Islamist country,” it says. (Like the Bible, the Qur’an uses the metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle.)
The State Department’s “Office of Art in Embassies” (Yes.. Such a department actually exists) is reportedly responsible for the decision to procure the fiberglass camel statue.
Whatever the reasons maybe for procuring the befuddled looking Camel, one thing is sure, the visitors to the embassy are going to be equally (if not more) puzzled.
