- Drive marks return of iconic figure to city after smaller lone version displayed 10 years ago
- Duck parade, starting in waters off Central with stops in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui East and Tsim Sha Tsui planned for June 18
The latest version of Hong Kong’s beloved giant rubber duck is bigger and comes in a pair. Photo: Sam TsangA pair of inflatable giant rubber ducks will return to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on June 10, with artwork on the beloved installations also displayed at MTR stations.
Confirming an earlier SCMP report, Hong Kong-based art studio AllRightsReserved on Thursday said the ducks would be on show in waters off Tamar Park in Central.
There is also a duck parade planned for June 18. The route starts and ends in waters off Central with stops in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui East and Tsim Sha Tsui.
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The yellow 18-metre ducks will be among the world’s biggest – taller than a 16.5-metre (54-feet) lone version displayed in the city a decade ago.
Artwork on the installations will also be splashed across 18 MTR stations including Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Choi Hung from Thursday.
Themed “The Double Ducks by Florentijn Hofman”, the drive marks the return of the iconic figures, this time as a pair, aimed at spreading “double happiness”, AllRightsReserved founder Lam Shu-kam said.
“People are connected through this large-scale outdoor art installation,” he said. “We were frequently asked, in the past decade, when the rubber duck would return. We have decided, against all odds, to bring back our old friend, accompanied by another, to celebrate the 10-year milestone.
“Our goal is simple – to spread happiness. Without the support from friends and organisations, this mission would not be possible.”
The ducks were created by 46-year-old Dutch artist Hofman, with the original piece debuting in France in 2007 and displayed in Hong Kong in 2013.
“Double duck is double luck,” Hofman said, urging the public to “open your eyes” to art, as he noted people’s preoccupation with digital devices nowadays. “The work emphasises friendship and getting connected. Due to Covid-19, we learned that spending time together is valuable.”
The rubber duck drive comes with the city recovering from the pandemic and trying to claw its way back from a tourism slump.
The public art show will last until June 24.