Rubber Duck by Florentijn Hofman NOT coming to Dubai

Update: 30th November 2013, 7.45pm

Just found out the giant rubber duck coming to Dubai tomorrow has nothing to do with Florentijn Hofman's installation. A company called GeoWash is bringing the duck and alerted me on Twitter after I posted a link to my original blogpost that this is a different duck. I asked for their official press release, but they said it will be sent tomorrow. Bit too late I think.

The local press writing about this refer to Florentijn Hofman and mention how the duck has been to many cities (e.g. TimeOut Dubai, What's On, 7 Days). How and why GeoWash didn't make this clear from the start to ensure this gets reported correctly is beyond me.

So to recap, there will be a giant "Rubber Duck" floating on Dubai Creek, but will probably be a copy of Florentijn Hofman's work. This is quite disappointing.

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Last year, I saw a report on TV about a giant Rubber Duck installation by Florentijn Hofman. It made me smile and I always wondered if it will make an appearance in the United Arab Emirates.

I found out yesterday that Hofman's giant Rubber Duck will be coming to Dubai, on Sunday, 1st December 2013. The 18 metre duck will float along Dubai Creek, part of the National Day celebrations, from 11.15am ne ar the Saudi Arabia Consulate on Al Seef Road.

Florentijn Hofman is known for his giant and playful installations. Besides Rubber Duck, there is Fat Monkey, 2 Blue Sparrows, Mickey the Pig, Slow Slugs and more.

An encounter with one of Hofman’s extraordinary sculptures invites us to stand still for a moment and to look; to really look and to take a picture if you like. Hofman: ‘My sculptures cause an uproar, astonishment and put a smile on your face. They give people a break from their daily routines. Passers-by stop in front of them, get off their bicycle and enter into conversation with other spectators. People are making contact with each other again. That is the effect of my sculptures in the public domain.’ via florentijnhofman.nl

Here's a short interview with Florentijn Hofman about his work.