The creator of the yellow rubber duck is back—bringing playful fun to the world!

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family, compiled report
 
Do you remember that adorable yellow rubber duck that appeared in Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, and Keelung? Its massive and heartwarming presence caused quite a sensation at the time. The Dutch artist known as the "father of the yellow rubber duck," Florentijn Hofman, sparked a strong response with his solo exhibition "Play Traveling the World" in Hong Kong, and the exhibition is now moving to Taipei’s Whitestone Gallery.

This exhibition brings those originally outdoor giants into Taipei’s Whitestone Gallery in Neihu. The familiar “Yellow Rubber Duck,” the “Hugging Elephant” that symbolized hope and garnered celebrity support when exhibited in Shenzhen, China, the “Thames Hippo” created for the Totally Thames Festival on the River Thames, as well as rare new works from the “Linear” and “Glass Eye” series, will all be on display at the gallery, hoping to bring healing to every visitor.

The concept of "Play Traveling the World" is to bring large-scale public art installations from around the globe—such as the Yellow Rubber Duck, the Flip-Flop Monkey, and the Hugging Elephant—into the gallery space.

Since each piece is designed based on the unique characteristics of a specific location, the exhibition also infuses the spirit of different places into the space. Through static appreciation and interactive engagement with the public, Hofman specifically chose ceramics as the medium for this series because ceramics feature clean, simple lines and delicate gloss, and are also one of the important cultural heritages of Asia.

Because connection, social participation, and public interaction are key elements in Hofman’s creative process, collaborative art activities have also been planned during the exhibition period. In addition to the smaller version of the "Thames Hippo" on display, Hofman has brought numerous mini white hippos, inviting everyone to paint them in beautiful colors.