Two giant rubber ducks debut in Hong Kong in bid to drive "double happiness"
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Loading... - Fusae Endo
- 09 Jun 2023
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A duo of vibrant Rubber Ducks caused a stir in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, on Friday, as they became the centerpiece of an art display called "Double Ducks" by acclaimed Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. Hofman expressed his desire for the ducks to bring joy and happiness to the city.
These enormous inflatable yellow ducks, towering at a height of 18 meters (59 feet), will gracefully navigate the harbor for a span of two weeks. This installation marks a decade since Hofman's previous creation, the iconic "Rubber Duck" sculpture, captivated crowds in the bustling Asian financial hub back in 2013.
According to Hofman, his pair of ducks embody "twice the fun, double the happiness," injecting a fresh wave of excitement into Hong Kong. He aspires for the installation to provide a source of pleasure during a time when the world has faced the adversities of a pandemic, conflicts, and political tensions. The timing feels right to resurrect the concept of double luck.
The curator, AllRightsReserved (ARR), likened the ducks to the symmetrical Chinese characters "xi" and "peng," representing happiness and friendship respectively.
Hofman's inspiration for this colossal inflatable rubber duck installation emerged from a combination of a world map and a simple rubber duck. Since its debut in the Netherlands in 2007, the installation embarked on a global tour, gracing harbors from France to Brazil.
Positioned near Hong Kong's central district and Tamar Park, the ducks gracefully traversed Victoria Harbour, enchanting the numerous onlookers who gathered along the promenade.
Anna, a 40-year-old woman strolling along the waterfront, expressed her delight at the sight of the ducks. She voiced her desire for more art installations like the rubber ducks in Hong Kong, emphasizing the city's comparative lack of space for artistic endeavors in contrast to Macau or Shenzhen, where art flourishes.
Kane, a 40-year-old engineer, viewed the ducks as a positive addition to Hong Kong. In a society weighed down by low spirits, he saw them as a silver lining. Kane further asserted that it is more beneficial for the government to allocate public funds towards such installations rather than other areas.
