Curse continues! Giant rabbit goes up in flames

CNN Staff
2 minute read
Published 7:50 AM EDT, Mon September 15, 2014
Lucky or unlucky? Artist Floretijn Hofman's giant Moon Rabbit, on exhibit at the Taoyuan Land Arts Festival since September 4, was damaged in a fire a day after the 11-day festival concluded. His earlier work, a giant inflatable duck, was dogged by occasional bad luck.
Oops, it happens again —
Lucky or unlucky? Artist Floretijn Hofman's giant Moon Rabbit, on exhibit at the Taoyuan Land Arts Festival since September 4, was damaged in a fire a day after the 11-day festival concluded. His earlier work, a giant inflatable duck, was dogged by occasional bad luck.
courtesy Blue Dragon Art Company
Bad news: Giant rabbit by Florentijn Hofman burnt. Good news: Most parts of the rabbit were safely removed and it survived the whole festival before the fire broke out.
Not as bad as it looks —
Bad news: Giant rabbit by Florentijn Hofman burnt. Good news: Most parts of the rabbit were safely removed and it survived the whole festival before the fire broke out.
courtesy Blue Dragon Art Company
After taking Taiwan by storm last year with his giant rubber duck, Florentijn Hofman's latest work Moon Rabbit was put on display at the Taoyuan Land Arts Festival.
Bunny on the bunker —
After taking Taiwan by storm last year with his giant rubber duck, Florentijn Hofman's latest work Moon Rabbit was put on display at the Taoyuan Land Arts Festival.
courtesy BLUE DRAGON ART COMPANY
The festival took place at a former naval base in Taoyuan, with many installations set up on old bunkers.
Taoyuan naval base —
The festival took place at a former naval base in Taoyuan, with many installations set up on old bunkers.
courtesy BLUE DRAGON ART COMPANY
Hofman's Moon Rabbit was inspired by the tale of the moon goddess Chang'er and her guardian jade rabbit, A.K.A. the moon rabbit.
Inspired by folklore —
Hofman's Moon Rabbit was inspired by the tale of the moon goddess Chang'er and her guardian jade rabbit, A.K.A. the moon rabbit.
courtesy BLUE DRAGON ART COMPANY
"The Moon Rabbit is laying against the bunker, dreaming and thinking about life and dreaming the impossible possible and creating its own true stories," says Hofman in a statement.
Dreaming rabbit —
"The Moon Rabbit is laying against the bunker, dreaming and thinking about life and dreaming the impossible possible and creating its own true stories," says Hofman in a statement.
courtesy BLUE DRAGON ART COMPANY
To create the appearance of fluffiness, Hofman and Taiwan-based Blue Dragon Art Company used more than 12,000 pieces of tyvek paper on the rabbit.
Paper fur —
To create the appearance of fluffiness, Hofman and Taiwan-based Blue Dragon Art Company used more than 12,000 pieces of tyvek paper on the rabbit.
courtesy BLUE DRAGON ART COMPANY
Other artists with works at the festival include Taiwan's Hung Yi. This is one of 20 works from his "Happy Animal Party" collection, in which elephant 3D sculptures have been covered in Hakka and Japanese printed clothing.
'Happy Animal Party' collection by Hung Yi —
Other artists with works at the festival include Taiwan's Hung Yi. This is one of 20 works from his "Happy Animal Party" collection, in which elephant 3D sculptures have been covered in Hakka and Japanese printed clothing.
Ashley Pon/Getty Images
"Formosan Sika Deer" is Taiwan's national animal, seen here covered in a plum blossom pattern.
'Formosan Sika Deer' by Hung Yi —
"Formosan Sika Deer" is Taiwan's national animal, seen here covered in a plum blossom pattern.
Ashley Pon/Getty Images
"Float to Sukhavati" is the creation of Taiwan artist Li Zhen. In 2007, Li became the first Asian artist to hold their own solo show at the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition.
'Float to Sukhavati' by Li Zhen —
"Float to Sukhavati" is the creation of Taiwan artist Li Zhen. In 2007, Li became the first Asian artist to hold their own solo show at the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition.
Ashley Pon/Getty Images