DUBAI // The silver falcon, strong and elegant, was a piece of art - one that carried an important environmental message.
The sculpture, made from soft-drink cans, was voted the winner from 18 pieces contributed by five schools for a National Day competition hosted at Mirdif City Centre to create UAE symbols from recycled materials.
The winning school, Royal Dubai, has won 40 laptops.
The artists cut intricate feathers out of drink cans and attached them one by one to the body of the falcon, which looked like it was dressed in armour.
Can bottoms made up the falcon's eyes and curled metal was used for the talons.
"It's nice to see waste being recycled into art, especially in this country … and art that's also embracing the culture," said Jemima Hussain, 30, a South African who looked at the pieces yesterday.
Her daughter Keziah, 2, who wore a bow with the colours of the Emirati flag, said she liked the animals best. These included a desert snake, a camel and more falcons.
One bird had a body of white styrofoam blocks connected by wire and red tacks for eyes. A stout horse was covered in pieces of The National with colourful, curled strips bunched together to create a mane and tail. Both were made by Greenfield Community School.
Other students drew inspiration from Dubai landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Emirates Towers and Atlantis, The Palm.
One of several Burj Al Arabs, also made by Royal Dubai, consisted of small water bottles with their bottoms cut out so they could be tucked horizontally into one another.
A representation of the Palm Jumeirah by Jumeirah College used rows of blue pencils for the sea.
Dhows, abras, a metro station and a taxi were also featured. A wind tower covered in newspaper had been splashed with several colours of paint.
Those who stopped to look at the art said they planned to spend the rest of their National Day having a barbecue or watching a parade.
Maryam Amr, 24, an Emirati customer service officer manning a station next to the art pieces, said she might not go out after her shift ended at 6.30pm.
The roads would probably be packed, Ms Amr said. She wore a red, green, white and black shayla provided by her employer to wear over the past 40 days.
"Every year we are celebrating more and more," she said.
chuang@thenational.ae
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh132,000 (Countryman)
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