[1/3] One of the inflatable yellow ducks created by Dutch artist Florentin Hofmann is seen deflated at Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, China on June 10, 2023. REUTERS/Tyrone Siew
HONG KONG (Reuters) – One of two giant rubber ducks slumped in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor as part of an installation by Dutch artist Florentin Hofmann on Saturday, disappointing residents who come to see them in the sweltering heat.
It was not clear why the duck was discharged. Hong Kong-based art studio AllRightsReserved, the organizer of the art show, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Unfortunate. I thought at first I could see two rubber ducks,” said Moon Lam, 72, who came to the harbor wearing a rubber duck shirt, face mask, earrings and socks.
The “double duck” was unveiled on Friday and was scheduled to float in port for two weeks.
Hofmann, who drew inspiration from a world map and rubber ducks to create his installation, embarked on a world tour starting in the Netherlands in 2007, stopping at ports from France to Brazil. A single rubber duck made its debut in Hong Kong in 2013.
“We were hoping to see two ducks, but it’s also nice to have one deflated. Maybe because it’s very hot in Hong Kong,” said Tiffany Chen, 28, a tourist from the neighboring northern city of Shenzhen.
(Reporting by Jesse Pang) Written by Marius Zaharia
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