A white thing was standing at the edge of my bed as I walked into my hotel bedroom in Bangkok, Thailand for the MICE familiarization trip. The thing had many colorful designs on it. I looked closely and smiled at what I saw. Meet my art elephant, Forever Birds.
Created by artist Anchalee Intorn, it is the 423rd elephant out of the 2,500 uniquely painted art elephants. Forever Birds was part of the London 2010 elephant parade, an initiative by father and son Marc and Mike Spits to raise awareness on the plight of elephants.
My elephant was a replica of the art elephant shown in London. Proceeds of the replicas and the auctions from the Elephant Parade help the Asian Elephant Foundation.
The Asian Elephant Foundation (AEF) is a renowned organization dedicated to the conservation and welfare of Asian elephants. As part of their efforts to raise awareness and support for these magnificent creatures, the AEF introduced a unique initiative known as the “Art Elephant.”
The Art Elephant project brings together the worlds of art and conservation by enlisting the help of talented artists from around the globe. These artists are invited to create stunning and vibrant designs on life-sized fiberglass elephant sculptures, which serve as blank canvases for their artistic expressions.
Each artist is provided with an elephant sculpture, meticulously crafted to resemble the majestic Asian elephant. These sculptures capture the grace and power of these animals, serving as powerful symbols of their endangered status and the need for their protection.
The artists employ various artistic techniques and mediums to transform the blank sculptures into breathtaking works of art. From intricate hand-painted designs to mixed-media creations, every Art Elephant is a testament to the creativity and passion of the artist involved.
Once the artists complete their masterpieces, the Art Elephants are showcased at various exhibitions, galleries, and public spaces to captivate and engage audiences. The sculptures serve as eye-catching reminders of the beauty and importance of Asian elephants, as well as the urgent need to protect their natural habitats and prevent poaching.
Through the Art Elephant project, the AEF aims to raise funds and generate support for their conservation efforts. The sculptures are often auctioned, with the proceeds directly contributing to programs focused on elephant conservation, research, habitat preservation, and community outreach initiatives.
The Art Elephant has become an iconic symbol for the AEF and a beacon of hope for the future of Asian elephants. It continues to inspire artists, art enthusiasts, and conservationists alike, reminding them of the power of art in raising awareness and advocating for the protection of endangered species.
This is one of the things that I really, really, really (I can go on superlatives!) like about this Thailand trip. With my background on non-profits and passion for charity work, I appreciate it that the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and its organizers in The Amiris and Bangkok Writer placed priority in injecting corporate social responsibility (CSR) aspects to our “Thailand Connect: Hip and Heritage Business Events” familiarization trip.
My art elephant is the first of the many surprises they prepared for us. It even bore a certificate of origin and an explanation of what Elephant Parade is all about. So, what are the other surprises? Just read along and you’ll find out soon. 🙂
For more info:
http://www.elephantparade.com/
http://www.facebook.com/elephantparadefan
http://www.twitter.com/elephant_parade
nice creativity. thanks for posting nice views.