Three steel camels against the Amsterdam sky: that’s the Fata Morgana Sculpture. This artwork by Iris Le Rütte adds an unexpected touch to the city. It stands on a bridge over the Ringvaart. The bridge carries a railway line. This is near the Wibautstraat in Amsterdam-Oost.
The Fata Morgana Sculpture dates back to 2005. Iris Le Rütte created it for the city. Amsterdam wanted art as part of a neighborhood upgrade. The Fata Morgana Sculpture appeared on September 9, 2005.
Le Rütte was one of ten artists chosen. She submitted a simple drawing. It featured three camels. Her vision was to transform an awkward place. She felt the Wibautstraat was such a place. The street bustles with traffic. It runs beside a small park. A brick wall borders the train tracks. The Fata Morgana Sculpture was the perfect fit.
The camels seem to walk with the traffic. They parallel the Wibautstraat and the train tracks. They also follow the metro line. The Fata Morgana Sculpture offers a striking image. The artist calls the Wibautstraat a stone desert. The camels emphasize this contrast.
The Fata Morgana Sculpture is made of steel. These are not life-like figures. They are two-dimensional silhouettes. They still capture the imagination.
The artist said the Fata Morgana Sculpture makes the place feel uncomfortable. The artwork has become quite popular. It was even featured in an exhibition. This was at Beelden aan Zee in Scheveningen.
As the sun sets, the Fata Morgana Sculpture comes alive. The camel silhouettes stand out. You might imagine yourself in another land. The slow desert walk contrasts sharply. It differs from the city’s busy pace.
So next time you are near Wibautstraat look for the Fata Morgana Sculpture. Note how it transforms the urban landscape. These steel camels offer a moment of wonder. They invite you to dream of faraway places. The Fata Morgana Sculpture reminds us that art can appear in the most unexpected corners.