25th May 2023 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong is buzzing with excitement as the giant yellow Rubber Duck makes its return to Victoria Harbour after ten years. This time, the Rubber Duck is even bringing a companion, as two 18-meter-tall inflatable Rubber Ducks were spotted at the Tam Kon Shan Road shipyard in the northern part of Tsing Yi. The organiser, AllRightsReserved has announced that the Rubber Ducks will make their way to Victoria Harbour on 1st June, and it is expected to draw another wave of visitors to the city.
The Rubber Duck was first created in 2007 by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman and has since traveled to various cities around the world, including Sydney, Australia, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and many other places. Each Rubber Duck is recreated locally, and its temporary installations have brought joy and excitement to people of all ages. The Hong Kong exhibition in 2013 was a massive success, with the inflatable duck reaching a height of 16.5 meters and attracting nearly 8 million visitors.
According to the event organiser, the giant Rubber Ducks will be anchored to the bottom of the harbour with three specially designed 3-ton stone anchors to prevent it from being swept away by strong winds and waves. Additionally, a waterproof electric cable was also installed to provide power to the exhibition. The organiser is still finalising details with local authorities, such as the exact location in the harbour and how long the pieces would be displayed, with an announcement expected on 1st June.
The Rubber Duck’s creator, Florentijn Hofman, drew inspiration for his work from a 2001 museum visit and a popular yogurt advertisement in the Netherlands in 2000 or 2001. Hofman searched for the perfect toy duck and eventually settled on a design by a Hong Kong company called Tolo Toys. The yogurt company, Yogho! Yogho!, financed the creation of the Rubber Duck.
Since its creation, the Rubber Duck has become a global phenomenon, and its exhibitions have brought joy and excitement to people of all ages. The giant inflatable duck is a symbol of happiness and, for many, represents a sense of nostalgia and childhood memories. Its bright yellow color and playful design have captured the hearts of millions worldwide, making it an international icon.
The return of the Rubber Duck to Hong Kong is significant, especially for those who remember the joy it brought to the city ten years ago. The playful design and bright yellow colour of the Rubber Duck have become iconic, symbolising happiness and childhood memories for many. The organiser of the exhibition has taken measures to ensure the safety of the installation, including three specially designed 3-ton stone anchors to prevent it from being swept away by strong winds and waves.
The studio behind the Rubber Duck’s exhibition, AllRightsReserved, is a Hong Kong-based art studio that has organised various art exhibitions in the city since it was established in 2003. These include the display of 1,600 handcrafted paper pandas around the city in 2014 and thousands of LED roses from South Korea in Tamar Park in Central in 2016. In 2019, the studio exhibited a 37-meter-long sculpture of Kaws’ Companion, a signature character created by artist Kaws, whose real name is Brian Donnelly, floating off the waters of Tamar Park.
When the Rubber Duck floated off Tsim Sha Tsui for almost six weeks from 2nd May, 2013, it was a hit with locals and tourists. It was popular with tens of thousands of photographers and those taking selfies. On 15th May, the artwork deflated, disappointing fans but was soon reinflated. Hofman is known for creating larger-than-life pieces aimed at breaking the boundaries between people and public art spaces viewed as inaccessible.