On June 9, 2023, in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, people checked in next to the yellow duck. On the same day, two large yellow ducks about 18 meters tall appeared in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. This is the first time that the yellow duck has arrived in Hong Kong after 10 years of absence. It is reported that the two large yellow ducks will be opened to the public on June 10 for about two weeks. Xinhua News Agency photo
June 9, 2023, Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, Dutch artist Florentine Hoffmann and his work Giant Yellow Rubber Duck (Big Yellow Duck). Visual China map
In 2001, Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman came up with the idea to create a yellow duck artwork. In 2007, the giant floating sculpture of a 26-meter-tall yellow rubber duck first appeared and has since toured the world. Because it is temporary public art, each rubber duck will be recreated locally. "What's special about temporary public art is that it's fleeting. People see it, talk about it, and get used to it. Then, all of a sudden, it disappeared again", Hoffman explains. When a large "interloper" appears, we begin to pay attention to the place we have long been accustomed to, thus creating a bond with the environment.
In 2007, the duck was first exhibited in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Infographic
In 2007, the duck was exhibited in Saint-Nazaire, France. Infographic
In 2008, the duck met tourists in Wassena, the Netherlands. Infographic
Since the birth of the first "yellow duck" in 2007, Hoffmann has traveled from Amsterdam in the Netherlands with his works, and the yellow duck has visited many countries and regions. Yellow duck has received a lot of attention everywhere it goes, and has also brought great commercial benefits to the local tourism and retail industry.
In 2008, the Yellow Duck was exhibited in São Paulo, Brazil. Infographic
In 2009, the Great Yellow Duck was exhibited in Hasselt, Belgium. Infographic
In 2009, the big yellow duck was exhibited in Osaka, Japan. Infographic
In 2011, the Great Yellow Duck was exhibited in Auckland, New Zealand. Infographic
At first, it was rumored that Hoffman's inspiration for the Big Yellow Duck came from the story of the duck fleet: in 1992, a cargo ship from China was about to cross the Pacific Ocean to the port of Tacoma, Washington, but a container full of 29,000 tub toys fell into the sea and cracked, and the yellow ducks, blue turtles and green frogs inside floated to the surface of the sea, forming a huge "duck fleet", which has since drifted from China to the coast of the United States and Britain.
In 2012, the Yellow Duck was exhibited in Hiroshima, Japan. Infographic
In 2012, the Great Yellow Duck was exhibited in London, England. Infographic
In 2013, the Great Yellow Duck was exhibited in Sydney, Australia. Infographic
On June 30, 2013, the big yellow duck was exhibited in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. Visual China map
On October 12, 2013, the big yellow duck appeared in Kunming Lake in Beijing's Summer Palace, attracting a large number of tourists to watch. Visual China map
On October 24, 2013, Kunming Lake, Summer Palace in Beijing, the farewell party of the big yellow duck was held, and Hoffman took a group photo with Jackie Chan. Visual China map
In 2013, the big yellow duck was exhibited in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan Province, China. Infographic
Although the story is beautiful, Hoffman firmly denies it: "No, no, it's a complete rumor. I went to a museum in the Netherlands and found inspiration in paintings, and I saw the design of a little yellow duck in a painting. My inspiration comes from some works of art, I don't remember which specific works, they are all landscape paintings, I prefer to take inspiration from some paintings, and then make my own artistic creation."
On June 14, 2014, Dutch artist Florentine Hoffmann came to Hangzhou Xixi Wetland National Park with his big yellow duck with the dream of public welfare. Visual China map
On October 22, 2014, Shanghai, the big yellow duck settled in Jingtian Lake in Shanghai Century Park. In the morning, it attracted a large number of citizens and tourists to visit. Visual China map
October 20, 2014, Shanghai, the whole process of inflating yellow duck. Visual China map
On November 04, 2014, in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, the yellow duck attracted many citizens to Mochou Lake Park to experience the cute appearance of the yellow duck up close and take a photo with the big yellow duck. Visual China map
On June 30, 2017, Toronto, Canada, the yellow duck made its debut in Canada. Visual China map
Hoffman's yellow duck is different in size, the big yellow duck has an empty interior, and there is a zipper entrance at the tail, which can be used by maintenance personnel to enter the rubber duck body for inspection and repair. The big yellow duck has a huge fan in its body, and no matter the weather, as long as it is inflated, it can swim around freely. The rhubarb duck, which consists of 200 pieces, has reached 600 kg without blowing, and it takes 25 to 30 minutes to fill up and 10 minutes to deflate. The inflatable pump in the body of the yellow duck needs to be inflated 24 hours a day to ensure that the yellow duck maintains its body shape on the water, and the air pump needs to be inflated or deflated according to the weather conditions. Considering the water characteristics and safety protection of the activity venue, the inflating of the yellow duck was completed on site.
On December 29, 2017, red-billed gulls hovering around the big yellow duck near Dianchi Lake in Kunming. On the same day, the "Big Yellow Duck", which is 18 meters high and 25 meters long and 25 meters wide, equivalent to a 6-story building, was unveiled at the colorful ancient Yunnan famous city by Dianchi Lake in Kunming, attracting people to come and watch. Visual China map
October 28, 2021, Santiago, Chile, a yellow duck designed by Dutch artist Florentine Hoffmann is on display in the park. Visual China map
On September 29, 2022, Seoul, South Korea, citizens and big yellow duck took a commemorative photo. The big yellow duck has come to Korea again in 8 years since 2014. Visual China map
On June 9, 2023, in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, people checked in next to the yellow duck. Visual China map
On June 12, 2023, in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, people checked in next to the "big yellow duck". Visual China map
Since 2007, the rhubarb duck has been traveling the world. Every time the big yellow duck will attract the crazy pursuit of local fans, bring surprises and laughter to people, and largely realize the original intention of the artist's creation. As a frequent image in front of children around the world, the rubber duck can heal everyone's mind and relax the mind. The visual symbol of the big yellow duck can inspire people to associate their childhood and various memories of childhood, which can be said to be a microcosm of people's childhood, which is also a common emotional feeling of all human beings.
On June 12, 2023, the yellow duck appeared in Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, which is the second time that the yellow duck has arrived in Hong Kong after 10 years of absence. Visual China map