HONG KONG: One of two giant rubber ducks anchored in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour as part of an art installation by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman deflated on Saturday, to the disappointment of residents coming to see them in scorching heat.

It was not clear why the duck deflated.

Hong Kong-based art studio AllRightsReserved, the organiser of the art show, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Its a pity. I originally thought I could see two rubber ducks, said Moon Lam, 72, who came to the harbour wearing rubber duck-themed t-shirt, face mask, earrings and socks.

The “Double Ducks” were unveiled on Friday and were scheduled to float in the harbour for two weeks.

Hofman, who was inspired by a world map and rubber duck to create his installation, began a world tour starting from the Netherlands in 2007, making stops in harbours from France to Brazil.

A single rubber duck first floated in Hong Kong in 2013.

“We hoped to see two ducks, but its also cute that one deflated. Maybe because its too hot in Hong Kong, said Tiffany Chen, 28, a tourist from the northern neighbouring city of Shenzhen.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2023