“Loire Estuary 2007,” is an outdoor, contemporary-art exhibition now taking place in France that features the works by 30 artists from around the world. All of the work is being installed along a 40-mile stretch at the mouth of the Loire River, from Saint-Nazaire to Nantes.

Our favorite piece is Florentijn Hofman’s massive rubber duckie.

From the artists’ website:



Title: Rubber duck

Year: 2007

Location: river the Loire, France

Dimensions: 26 x 20 x 32 meters

Materials: inflatable, rubber coated PVC, pontoon and generator

Assigned by: le Lieu Unique and the Biennial Estuaire

A yellow spot on the horizon slowly approaches the coast. People have gathered and watch in amazement as a giant yellow Rubber Duck approaches. The spectators are greeted by the duck, which slowly nods its head. The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn’t discriminate people and doesn’t have a political connotation. The friendly, floating Rubber Duck has healing properties: it can relief mondial tensions as well as define them. The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!