The yellow rubber duck shown above went viral for the last few years. The original giant floating artwork was designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. His creation serves a very simple purpose: making more people happy. Without any doubt, popularity of this lovable duck proved his goal has been accomplished. It went out for a world tour from Saint-Nazaire to Meikarta from 2007 to now and there is now sign showing the trend is to stop. During the tour, people used it in various ways: integrate it into natural or cultural landscape for people just to go around and see, open theme park or exhibition for entertainment, or even raise awareness of certain ongoing project.
When we look back on traditional public art work, we see medal sculptures or memorials that are static and solemn. But rubber duck went out of the box and became movable and interactive. Compared with works plastered a “Don’t touch” sign on the side, interactive works may attract more people’s attention, therefore have larger influences.