Anya Hindmarch’s Chubby Hearts bring smiles and love to Hong Kong

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Anya Hindmarch’s Chubby Hearts Bring Smiles and Love to Hong KongOrchestrated by the Hong Kong Design Centre, this event features a colossal inflatable red heart, a creation of the celebrated British designer Anya Hindmarch, which made its grand debut in the city in February amidst widespread excitement. The soaring of Hindmarch’s oversized chubby heart balloons across Hong Kong not only uplifts spirits but also blankets the cityscape with love.

Following the Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 show at the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong, the city is set to host an impressive array of art and cultural spectacles that promise to draw crowds. This lineup includes “Chubby Hearts Hong Kong,” the worldwide debut of Dior’s Fall 2024 men’s collection, the globally acclaimed pop culture event “ComplexCon,” and a celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the esteemed Hong Kong author Jin Yong.

The “Chubby Hearts Hong Kong” celebration brings to life giant inflatable red hearts throughout Hong Kong, casting a wave of love and joy across the city. Originated by Anya Hindmarch in 2018, the Chubby Hearts initiative quickly rose to fame as an international design marvel. Remarkably, this event marks the Chubby Hearts project’s inaugural exhibition outside of London, UK, spreading its message of love on a global scale.

“I am thrilled to be able to fly the Chubby Hearts over Hong Kong, one of my favourite cities in the world. I hope the installation brings a fun surprise to this vibrant, creative city, while spreading a little joy.’ Hindmarch said. “Hong Kong has always felt like a second ‘home’ to me, as the site of my first store back in 1993 and as such it has a special place deep in my heart”.

The “Chubby Hearts Hong Kong” initiative has launched this year’s series of arts and cultural festivities, set to delight both residents and visitors. This special Hong Kong edition showcases an extraordinary Chubby Hearts centerpiece, the largest of its kind with a 12-meter diameter, along with smaller, surprise 3-meter diameter Chubby Hearts popping up at iconic locations and picturesque scenes around the city.

These heart-shaped installations are displayed at Statue Square Gardens in Central, aligning with the romantic period from Valentine’s Day to the Chinese Valentine’s Lantern Festival (February 14 to February 24). Additionally, the pop-up Chubby Hearts unexpectedly adorn various notable sites and tourist attractions throughout Hong Kong each day, including Sham Shui Po—known as one of the city’s coolest districts, The Peak—the highest point on Hong Kong Island, and the Flower Market—a verdant urban retreat. The event is designed to inspire exploration of Hong Kong’s lesser-known spots and highlight its amorous scenery.

In a bid to promote design and cultural dialogue while honoring the city’s blend of Eastern and Western heritage during this period, “Chubby Hearts Hong Kong” has partnered with local talents from various disciplines. The collaboration features composer Leon Ko, who has composed original music for the event; new media designer Nelson Ng, who has developed a Chubby Hearts animation exclusive to Hong Kong; Dr. Victor Wong, an award-winning photographer capturing the city’s charm with the airborne Chubby Hearts; travel photographer Derek Tang, who has created a unique short video; and artist Tommy Fung from SurrealHK, known for his distinctive surreal imagery.

Hong Kong is a renowned host for significant art events such as Art Basel Hong Kong and prestigious bi-annual auctions by Sotheby’s and Christie’s, thanks to its top-notch exhibition venues. The city is also the site of the Hong Kong Sevens, an esteemed annual sports event contributing significant economic value each year.

Recently, the Hong Kong government announced plans to host around 80 major events in the first half of 2024, including several Asian premieres like ComplexCon, a celebrated pop culture festival originating from Los Angeles. These grand events are expected to offer not only economic but also intangible benefits by enhancing visitors’ perceptions and promoting Hong Kong’s positive image globally.

Here’s a glimpse into the upcoming premier arts and cultural events set to captivate audiences:

ComplexCon’s First Foray into Hong Kong, Venturing Beyond its US Origins
For the first time ever, the globally celebrated pop culture festival ComplexCon will be hosted outside the United States. Slated for March 22 to 24, “ComplexCon Hong Kong 2024” will unfold at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, boasting a thrilling array of experiences spanning music, fashion, sports, art, cuisine, and exclusive limited-edition partnerships. The event’s live music roster features artists such as 21 Savage, 3Cornerz, Simon Dominic, GRAY, Loco, Woo Won-Jae, Coogie, SHOU, Lexie Liu, and Novel Fregus.

Dior Men’s Fall 2024 Show to Premiere in Hong Kong
Hot on the heels of Louis Vuitton’s recent showcase, Dior is set to present its Fall 2024 men’s collection in Hong Kong on March 23, offering the city the privilege of hosting the collection’s global debut.

Celebrating Jin Yong’s Legacy: A Centennial Tribute Introducing Cultural Classics to a New Generation
In honor of Jin Yong (Louis Cha), a monumental figure in Hong Kong literature, “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial” will be held at Edinburgh Place in Central from March 15 to July 2. This commemorative event will display 10 sculptures by renowned Chinese sculptor Ren Zhe, inspired by characters from Jin Yong’s novels. Highlights include a detailed recreation of Mongolian yurts from “The Legend of the Condor Heroes,” enhanced with digital creative technology to animate Jin Yong’s legendary martial arts figures.

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