Working Harbor Committee Last Friday, a giant rubber duckie waded into Pittsburgh, much to the delight of its residents. The 40-foot tall duckie is the first US-built rendition of The Rubber Duck Project, a series of floating sculptures conceptualized by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.
12 comments:
I love this duck. Since the pictures of the duck in China, I have wanted to see it. I have a large collection of rubber duckies and when I heard this was coming to Pittsburgh it was literally a dream come true. The message of the duck is a good one. It is certainly a symbol that people of any nation can enjoy. However I think the message was a little lost, most people that were there when I went to go see it were just saying "oooooo look at the giant duck." I was one of them but I think it was still a good thing. It brought enjoyment and attention to Pittsburgh, definitely a fun experience.
I still have not seen this duck, but I do really want to. I was talking with a few friends and we were discussing why there was a giant rubber bird on the Allegheny. This is the festival of firsts, but this duck has been seen before. So is this art? Is there a purpose? Well the artist made the argument that no one hates rubber duckies, so was the purpose of this massive piece of rubber to have something everyone can not hate? I want to say that I don't think this constitutes as art, but then again I don't have the same creative mind that would come up with something like that.
I went to see the launching event of this duck on last Friday and I was very surprised to see so many people thrilled and excited by the ambiance of this giant duck. Although at the sight, I didn't find much of artistic aspect in this project, I still enjoyed watching and was happy that this installation came to Pittsburgh instead of other cities. Also, even this blog page is filled with news about the Rubber Duckie and my facebook home page is overwhelming with people's posting the pictures of it. It is very interesting to see every people in Pittsburgh becomes enthusiastic about one specific object. However, ever since I read about fighting between Cultural Trust and Toonseum on design of the T-shirt, I did not really have a positive view on this whole "duck project." Yet, still, reading what Hofman said how this duck is representing a rubber duck in our global bathtub, I totally agree with his idea. I hope that audience, rather than thinking as a mere installation, can really consider about globalization of the world and idea of taking care of each other.
To tell you the truth, I don't understand the fascination with this duck. Yes, it is a really cool thing to great a 40' rubber duck and have it in your city. But other than that, I do not see the appeal and excitement of it. I mean, I have seen pictures of it and that is enough to satisfy my urge to go down and see it. I also understand and appreciate the concept of it, however, as David was telling us in class, the artist doesn't actually make the rubber duck. The city buys the idea to have a rubber duck from the artist and then has to commission a shop to build it. I would be so much moreimpressed in this was the same (and only) duck that floated the the other cities around the world.
I just have to say that I think the duck is wonderful! I was driving on the highway and happened to glance towards the river and saw the duck. I had completely forgotten about it, taken away by the stress of school, and I have to say that it completely made my day. As absolutely ridiculous as it is there's something about seeing a giant rubber duck just floating along on the river. You can't help but smile. To me, art is about bringing it to people -- making people smile and think -- bringing something out of the norm into everyday life. That's what art is! As Bread and Puppet says: "…Art Is Food! Art Soothes Pain! Art Wakes Up Sleepers!…" I think the duck is for everyone, available to everyone to see and enjoy and is full of positive energy. It's goofy and fun and it brings you outside yourself into a moment of carefree bliss.
I am in a love hate relationship with the rubber duck on one hand I find it completely idiotic that this is a piece of art that is getting most of the attention at the festival of firsts. There are some many great works of art, how does it make any sense that this simplistic work of art is the one that pittsburgh is obsessed with? My counter to these questions does happen to be something along the lines of “Well it is it simplicity that makes it universe. Everyone at some point had owned of interacted with a rubber duck, which makes this giant one relatable. Its cute face also makes it appealing to everyone.” . It simplicity makes me think back to understanding comics where Scott McCloud points out that people who use simple colors line and form have a great love for art and those concepts as they are. He also relates the simple face to a love of ideas. I think the rubber duck is an excellent way to point out how the simple face, colour and form point to a universal concept, which in this case is simple joy.
I think the giant duck is a great example of how art can be made accessible and fun. The artist has a wonderful intention with the duck, but a lot of people who go to see the duck probably don't know or don't care that there is a message behind it. That's completely ok. The duck makes people happy and it brings lots of people together- it gets people out of their heads for a while and makes them laugh at the world and enjoy life. Art doesn't have to always be dark. It doesn't have to make you feel bad about the human race, reconsider all of your choices, and swear to be a better person. We need that art, but it certainly limits who we're going to reach and what effect we can have on the people who do choose to expose themselves to it. That art is necessary too, but sometimes we need to step back from our serious artist-boxes and make something fun that can have a great impact as well- just a different one. It's a giant duck. Just enjoy it.
I think that the rubber duck is a truly universal piece of art. Everyone can find some joy or nostalgia in going to see it. I don't think that it is necessary for the duck to have a message or some sort of original feature to be considered art. It is just great to look at and its mere presence bringing joy to many people. I think that is enough to make it art.
Not only is this duck absolutely adorable, but it's really interesting how it brings people together over the world through the seas and rivers. I'm curious as to how they keep it so clean and how it withstands weather and whatnot. I also want to know more about how it was made and of what material. I've not had the opportunity to go see it during its visit to Pittsburgh, but I hope to.
I saw the duck yesterday and was a little bit underwhelmed. However, even though I didn't find it as exciting as other people, the whole "Duck" movement is a testament to how the arts are beginning to play a larger role in Pittsbrugh. It is exciting how the duck is making its American debut in Pittsburgh. Even in the past couple of years, I've noticed how Pittsburgh is making a huge effort to make Pittsburgh a place of art and culture. Being down at the point where the Duck is harbored and seeing the happiness that the duck instills in children and people of all ages makes me happy to be in a city that is becoming an artistic Icon.
It's a duck. It's really big. It's a big duck. It's a really big duck. Also, it's yellow.
I finally got to see the duck yesterday, and it was awesome. The sky was gloomy, but in the area around the duck it was so bright. The duck literally emanates happiness and joy. You can't help but smile and be amused when you look at it. Also, it's such an honor to have the duck in Pittsburgh for it's first North American appearance. Also, it's a duck.
I didn't have time to go see the duck but I drove by it.
It was really lovely and cute.
I don't think the duck is really art, I just think it's a cool attraction.
I feel like art has to have some sort of meaning behind it, and what meaning does a big rubber duck have?
I think it's awesome, but I don't think you have to look too much into it.
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