Free, public, accessible, fun. While these words are rarely used to describe sculpture, they perfectly encapsulate the #kurka3a project (local slang for turtle), a public art installation by artists Reem Mouasher and Lamia Fakhoury.
In 2019, the duo cast 100 palm-sized turtles in aluminium, numbered them, and hid them all over Amman for people to discover. Each turtle held a clue to its origins, the hashtag #kurka3a engraved into its underbelly. Hints to their whereabouts were provided via the project’s Instagram account @Kurka3a, setting off a city-wide scavenger hunt as word spread and people raced to collect and claim the stray turtles. The only rule was, “Finders keepers”. Some turtles were discovered by explorers who shared photos and videos of themselves with the mementos (still viewable on the @Kurka3a Instagram), while other turtles disappeared into the fabric of the city, perhaps discovered by a trash collector, a pedestrian, or a child.
The Kurka3a Project was designed to foster public engagement with the art of sculpture. It is designed to surprise and delight, the simple creature symbolizing the little things that often go unnoticed in the crowded urban landscape.
On December 06th, 2021, after a two week installation at Dar Al Anda, Another batch of sculptures hit Amman! The design of the Kurka3a has been improved, it is now made from a lightweight yet sturdy plaster, allowing each one to be hand-painted by the artists.
Kurka3a is an ongoing project, keep your eyes peeled for a Kurka3a near you!
Kukra3as on display at Dar Al Andra, Dec. 2022
Aluminium Kuraka3as at the foundry where they were cast in Wahdat.
Artists Reem Mouasher and Lamia Fakhoury designed Kurka3a to spark joy in the mundane moments of urban life.
The second edition Kuraka3as were hand painted by the artists.
Keep up with the Kurka3a project @Kurka3a on Instagram!
