What’s a giant white rabbit doing on a military bunker in Taiwan?

Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN
Updated 10:13 PM EDT, Wed September 10, 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
Chinese artist Zhang Huan, who is famous for works like "To Raise the Water Level in a Fishpond," displays his new work, "Six Realms of Rebirth."
'Six Realms of Rebirth' by Zhang Huan —
Chinese artist Zhang Huan, who is famous for works like "To Raise the Water Level in a Fishpond," displays his new work, "Six Realms of Rebirth."
Ashley Pon/Getty Images
During the festival the public has access to the control area of the Taoyuan naval base, which was the home of the Black Cat Squadron. These adorable cat sculptures were inspired by the team's emblem.
Black Cat Squadron —
During the festival the public has access to the control area of the Taoyuan naval base, which was the home of the Black Cat Squadron. These adorable cat sculptures were inspired by the team's emblem.
Ashley Pon/Getty Images
Rubber ducks are so last year: Florentijn Hofman's new work follows the white rabbit

Story highlights

Artist Florentijn Hofman's new Taiwan installation now on display at the Taoyuan Land Arts Festival

Art piece is a giant fluffy rabbit, inspired by Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival folklore

Rabbit is set up on a bunker at an old naval base not usually open to the public

CNN  — 

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman seems to think the world has had enough of his giant inflatable rubber duck.

Following up on the recent launch of his supersized floating hippo in London’s River Thames, Hofman’s latest project – Moon Rabbit – is now on display in Taiwan.

The location is fitting. The artist’s giant inflatable rubber duck took Taiwan by storm – even conquering a real storm along the way – last year.

Hofman’s latest animal-themed installation is part of the Land Arts Festival, an annual outdoor arts and culture event held southwest of Taipei in the northern county of Taoyuan.

This year, the event is taking place at a former naval base and features artwork from international and local artists, including Li Zhen and Zhang Huan. Festival art dots the base’s old bunkers as well as a 3.6-kilometer (2.2-mile) airplane runway.

It’s the first time the public has been allowed to visit the usually restricted naval base, home of the secretive Black Cat squadron from 1961 to 1974.

Bunny on the bunker

Hofman’s enormous yet adorable Moon Rabbit lies on a grass roof bunker, gazing at the moon.

“It’s made from tyvek mostly – a waterproof paper-like material,” says Hsin-yi Hu, exhibition manager at Blue Dragon Art Company.

The Taiwan-based company was responsible for bringing Hofman’s new work to the festival.

Florentijn Hofman's new work is a giant fluffy rabbit.
Florentijn Hofman's new work is a giant fluffy rabbit.
courtesy BLUE DRAGON ART COMPANY

“Hofman hoped to recreate the fluffiness of a real rabbit and we used over 12,000 pieces of tyvek on the piece,” says Hu.

“The naval base is very windy. With the fur swinging in the wind, it actually makes the rabbit look more alive.”

The Moon Rabbit was inspired by Chinese folklore associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which took place earlier this week. According to legend, the rabbit lives on the moon and is the companion of the moon goddess Chang’er.

It’s the second year Taoyuan has hosted the Land Arts Festival.

Commonly known to international travelers as the home of Taipei’s international airport, Taoyuan will be promoted and recognized as a special municipality by the government by the end of the year.

“Taoyuan has been an important industrial city in Taiwan,” says Hu.

“But under the new status, it has been keen to strengthen its arts and culture scene as well.”

In addition to art installations, the festival features creative markets, workshops and performing arts.

Taoyuan Land Arts Festival, September 4 to 14, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Taoyuan Naval Base

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