Duck, duck, gone: Hongkongers ignore gloomy skies to say farewell to beloved art show cut short by ‘unexpected challenges’
- Tourists, residents show up despite grey skies and sporadic rain to witness send-off for first of 18-metre duo brought to city for ‘The Double Ducks’ art show
- One couple saying goodbye to ducks recall happy memories when first art show came to city 10 years ago, while others express annoyance at duo’s early departure
Thousands of people ignored the gloomy weather on Father’s Day to say their goodbyes to two giant rubber ducks anchored at Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour after organisers earlier announced the art show had been cut short due to “unexpected challenges”.
Tourists and residents alike showed up with umbrellas cautiously in hand and gathered along both sides of the harbour as one of the 18-metre (59-foot) duo travelled to Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui for a lunch-hour parade before returning to Wan Chai.
Originally slated to last until June 24, the art show titled “The Double Ducks by Florentijn Hofman” was organised by Hong Kong-based art studio AllRightsReserved and officially opened to the public on June 10.
One of the ducks left the waters near Admiralty’s Tamar Park at around 1pm on Sunday, escorted by seven ships under slightly more peaceful skies.
A couple of hours later, onlookers on the harbour’s Kowloon side cheered and snapped photos as the rubber giant passed the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Gregory Kwok, 38, who works in the trading industry, said he had gone with his wife and three-year-old son to see the ducks and described the experience as meaningful.
“It’s very special that I’m able to bring my boy with my wife out to see the duck on the last day, which happens to be on Father’s Day,” he said.
