Undergoing sea trials ahead of the Double Ducks exhibition by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, a pair of giant yellow rubber ducks brought joy to Hong Kong’s waters recently.
A pair of 18-metre (61 ft) tall yellow rubber ducks were recently spotted in Hong Kong’s waters. These ginormous bath toys are undergoing sea trial ahead of an exhibition by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.
The twin toys brought joy to those who spotted them. Understandably, it’s not every day you spot two huge inflatable bath toys in the harbour.
This joy was said to be the aim and goal behind the display, calling the ducks “happiness icons”.
Double Ducks by Florentijn Hofman – ducks on a world tour
Rubber Duck is a series of several huge floating yellow rubber ducks made and designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.
Since 2007, Florentijn Hofman has taken his 18-metre (61 ft) tall rubber duck on a world tour. The ducks have appeared in Amsterdam, Sydney, Osaka, and Baku, to name a few.
Now, though, the rubber duck has a friend, and the pair have appeared in Hong Kong waters ahead of Hofmans exhibition Double Ducks.
10th anniversary of Hong Kong visit – back again with a friend
On the 10th anniversary of the rubber ducks’ first visit to Hong Kong, the creative brand ARR has invited the duck back, this time with a new friend.
At the end of May, the pair were put to the test in Victoria Harbour near Tsing Yi Island ahead of the official exhibition opening on 10 June.
ARR Organisers say that the Double Ducks are “happiness icons” and aim “to spread the healing power of art and bring joy to everyone via this large-scale public art exhibition”.
They add, “Hofman’s freewheeling imagination of childlike wonder has gained notice from the public, inspiring people to take a break from their mundane daily life and connect with one another”.
The ducks are back – and bigger than ever
During the installation’s first visit to Hong Kong in 2013, it garnered huge attention due to massive crowds and accidental deflations.
The search “yellow duck” was subsequently banned in mainland China due to political jokes that were made regarding the ducks and the famous “Tank Man” photo from the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, something Beijing forbids discussion of.
Following stormy weather on Friday, 9 June, Hofman joked that the two ducks “took a bath this morning”.
He said, “In a world where we suffered from a pandemic, wars and political situations, I think it is the moment to bring back the double luck”. Many keen visitors this time around praised the ducks for being a symbol of luck.
For more inspiring and uplifting installations, check out the heart-shaped traffic lights of Iceland.