Changhua resident launches his own giant duck
2013/09/21 21:42:40
Taipei, Sept. 21 (CNA) As Rubber Duck fever grips Taiwan, residents of the central county of Changhua have built their own oversized duck sculpture to keep up with bigger cities across the island that are playing host to Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's inflatable duck.
Hung Yi-fa, a resident of Changhua's Huatan Township, launched his creation Seot. 19, the same day that Hofman's 18-meter-tall Rubber Duck debuted in Kaohsiung.
Unlike the inflatable attraction modeled on a children's bath toy, however, Hung's duck is made of painted styrofoam and outfitted with LED lights to keep it glowing through the night.
A crowd of local spectators gathered to take pictures as the duck was placed in a small pond, though they were far outnumbered by the 200,000 who showed up to see Kaohsiung's Rubber Duck.
Hung, who is an official at a local temple, said he dedicated his work to the sea goddess Matsu as a prayer for peace and wellbeing for all of Taiwan.
Local spectators said Hung's creation was endearing, although they noted it does not bear a resemblance to Hofman's gargantuan floating sculpture.
(By Wu Jhe-hao and Scully Hsiao)
