CULTURE
YARAT Contemporary Art Space presents ‘Rubber duck’ by Netherlands artist Florentijn Hofman
Baku, September 16 (AZERTAC). An enormous inflatable toy full of childhood memories was presented to the audience and can easily evoke a wide response by visitors irrespective of their background and life experience. As the artist says that "the artwork contains something personal yet at the same time something universal that might unblock cultural, linguistic and age barriers". An unexpected rencontre with "Rubber Duck" may astonish and overjoy the audience and change our contemporary urban art perceptions fundamentally.
"Giantic toys" created by the Netherlands artist strive to convey all aspects of childhood-related emotions and feelings in adults' life. Hofman is longing to match suddenness effect against his sarcastic statements about "unbearable asperity of museum and gallery art as well as any other traditional methods of art presentation..."
Other art pieces by Florentijn Hofman used to prowl the oceans and became top cultural icons in major capitals of the world. The artist demonstrated his works in Sydney (2013), Osaka (2009), Sao-Paolo (2008) and Oakland (2011).
The "Rubber Ducky" is bound outwards from Baku Boulevard. It is expected it will sail the coastways of Baku Bay for month and every Boulevard visitor might seize the opportunity of encountering a "childhood ambassador" - the "Rubber Ducky".
Thanks to Participate Baku Public Art Festival organized by YARAT Contemporary Art Space, both the artist and the art piece arrived to Baku in August this year, and 12-meter Rubber Duck.
How is it that precisely this art piece, though incredibly adorable, managed to steal a way to the hearts of the residents of different states and continents? Let's try to unveil the secrecy of the Rubber Duck and its triumphal global cruise.
Ideas of Rubber Duck creation run in the artist's head in 2007, in his native town of Rotterdam. Florentijn has been always blessed with the capacity of foretelling the beauty of regular stuff, and he used to derive inspiration from present-day experience rather than from the Muses or early philosophers.
In marked contrast to his counterparts stating they are not troubling about the impression of the audience, Mr. Hofman demonstrates utmost sensitivity to thoughts and opinions of others. The artist pays particular attention to the ways of life and habitat of the significant others. It is specifically his hypersensitivity that underlies versatility of his artistic language and the light sent forth by his sculptures. His artworks are distinguished by delicate irony expressed in regard of traditional "in-museum" art, its sobriety and rigidity. As if the artist strives to declare through his amusing and soul stirring inflatable toys: "Yeah, I'm just a big kid, and I can make you smile!" In fact, he can.
Being aspired of his favourite creature, Florentijn Hofman did a plethora of breathtaking artworks. In 2010, he installed a 15-meter sculpture called by locals "The Fat Monkey" ("Macaco Gordo") in the Central Park of Sao Paolo, a city in Brazil. However, if you look closely, you can realize the artwork is made from 10,000 pairs of flip flops, iconic Brazilian footwear.