Heart trouble as winds force ‘short break’ for attraction
Hong Kong’s giant heart-shaped balloon installation was taken down yesterday because of high winds and replaced with two smaller ones, leaving some visitors disappointed with the scaled-down attraction.
The Hong Kong Design Centre wrote on social media that the “Chubby Heart” display, which launched on Valentine’s Day, would be briefly paused on account of the weather.
“Currently, the wind speed at Statue Square Gardens in Central has exceeded the maximum limit that the 12-metre heart-shaped installation can withstand,” it said. “To ensure public safety, the giant heart needs to take a short break and will meet everyone again when the weather stabilises.”
The installation is believed to be four times the size of one on display in London.
A source said the team carried out a test before and found that the balloon would need to be taken down if the wind speed reached about 41km/h, similar to that experienced under a typhoon No 3 signal. According to the Observatory, the 10-minute mean wind speed at Central Pier ranged from 20km/h to 25km/h at 4pm.
But the organiser said it had prepared a surprise for residents. “For the first time ever, two 3-metre Chubby Hearts will appear together at Statue Square Gardens in Central today! Come and capture this special moment from 1pm to 9pm today!” it said.
The installation’s smaller counterparts will be on display across the city until February 24, with some set up at Ngong Ping Village on Lantau yesterday.
Authorities on Friday revealed the organiser of the installation, which is categorised as a major local event, had sought HK$7.8 million in government funding to showcase the art piece by British designer Anya Hindmarch. The funds have yet to be approved and would cover the costs of curation, exhibition production, security, market research and promotion.
Louis Szeto Ka-sing, a former chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers’ mechanical, marine, naval architecture and chemical division, said he agreed with the decision to suspend the exhibit.
“The installation cannot be placed in locations where the wind is too strong. It is not designed to withstand strong winds,” he said. “The ropes are tied to the installation vertically. When there is a strong wind, the art piece will be blown in a certain direction like a balloon being held by a kid. No ropes are pulling the piece horizontally.”
Szeto said the ropes could snap in strong winds and pose a danger to those nearby.
“Even if the ropes did not break, they are attached to the balloon using hot-melt materials. The materials might split, causing the balloon to leak air.” A smaller balloon would be less affected by such winds because of its lower contact area, he added.
As of 5pm yesterday, dozens had gathered to view the Chubby Heart exhibit in Central despite the replacement of the larger balloon. The two smaller heartshaped balloons bobbed up and down in the wind, with staff occasionally adjusting the wires holding the display down.
Housewife Aria Eom, who visited the display with her friend and husband after eating nearby, said the two smaller hearts were “still fine”. “If I came here just for that [the large balloon], maybe I would say that I would be disappointed,” she said.
The 39-year-old South Korean noted the larger display would have been prettier as the smaller hearts required more lines to secure them down.
Hotel concierge Wai Chan said he was a little disappointed that the larger heart was replaced with the two smaller ones, but he said he understood why the organiser had to do so. “Of course a big heart is better than a small heart, but having a small heart is better than nothing,” the 50-year-old said.
Chan, who came from Shau Kei Wan to see the installation with his wife, said he did not regret coming to view the display as he knew it was replaced but still wanted to view it anyway.
More than 200,000 have visited the installations across the city in the first three days, according to the organiser.
A big heart is better than a small heart, but having a small heart is better than nothing WAI CHAN, HOTEL CONCIERGE