Inflatable replicas of world landmarks defended by Hong Kong art show organisers

The “Inflatable Wonders” exhibition, part of “SummerFest@Central”, was conceived to showcase five large-scale inflatable replicas of world-famous landmarks originally created using artificial intelligence by Armenian artist Joann, who goes by the handle @joooo.an on social media.

But some internet users have joked that the white Stonehenge installation look like gravestones, while others took potshots at the green-lit Pyramids of Giza display, saying they resembled police tents used at crime scenes.

David Rule, managing director of Central Venue Management that organised the exhibition, called the comments “rather short-sighted”.

“I think that the artist’s intention was to create known icons from around the world and they were originally designed in white, so we recreated them in white.”

The inflatables exhibition includes replicas of Chile’s Easter Island Moai statues, Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa, France’s Arc de Triomphe in Paris and Britain’s Stonehenge.

Grace Au Shui-lin, the event’s curator, said the featured monuments were selected based on what organisers believed the Hong Kong public would find most appealing.

She said the outdoor event on Central’s harbourfront had a “world theme” that was meant to be a pre-taste of this year’s Paris Olympics.

She echoed Rule’s comment that the inflatables’ white exterior had been chosen to respect Joann’s original vision.

Au added that lights that continually changed colour would be used to illuminate the installations during the evening, saying the photo of the pyramid display lit in green that went viral was a still image captured during a technical rehearsal.

“The colour of the light changes, but if people capture that moment [and make fun of it], we cannot help that,” she said.

Organisers said the exhibition would be closed if the Observatory issued a typhoon signal of No 3 or higher, or if there was a red or black rainstorm warning.

This year’s SummerFest, which focuses on the Olympics as a theme, will also feature a Fun Sports Gala.

Participants will be able to try their hand at a variety of emerging sports. There will also be music events, as well as youth and parent-oriented activities.

The event will run from July 5 to August 11.