Florentijn Hofman

Florentijn Hofman’s sculptures, renowned for their dramatic enlargement, invite audiences to reimagine ordinary objects through innovative explorations of material, scale, and form. Anchored in public spaces, his work draws upon local contexts and cultures, fostering shared experiences that transcend language barriers. In his latest collaboration with Alibaba, Hofman reinvents the familiar monkey figure, developing three distinct artworks tailored to specific locations. Each piece is crafted from hand-moulded clay models, with our team in China bringing the artist's vision to life.

Among the showcased sculptures are the playful Lying Monkey, the whimsical Upside-down Monkey, and Monkey Head, each celebrating expressive sculptural form. Monkey Head introduced a new layer of interaction. It was the first collaboration between our team and the artist to incorporate integrated mechanical motion. The monkey head is positioned between the saucer-shaped building (office entrance) and the inverted monkey sculpture, creating a continuous visual interaction between the two landmarks through slow, constant-speed horizontal rotation. As if gazing back and forth between both ends while overlooking the subway entrance, main commercial entrance, and public activity space, it imparts a dynamic and vibrant experience to the site. The monkey head rotates back and forth horizontally at a constant speed, with a single rotation angle of 106° and an operating speed of 106° per minute. The system automatically changes direction between the limits at both ends according to a preset program, achieving continuous, smooth, and low-noise operation, and presenting rich dynamic variations across different times and viewing angles.

A vibrant assembly of orange monkeys stretches and contorts, their exaggerated limbs embodying the agility needed to navigate a fast-paced world. Drawing inspiration from the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey, these sculptures cleverly merge elements of the animal kingdom with themes of commerce, stimulating conversations about the interconnectedness of nature and business.

Spanning almost 20 metres, the sculptures began as carefully assembled forms made from repurposed cardboard boxes, materials once used to transport products across vast distances. Those original cardboard sculptures were then translated into metal, preserving their texture and character. By transforming symbols of commerce into playful art, the installation prompts viewers to reflect on the relationship between consumerism, environmental impact, and the species that adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.

This project represents a pioneering approach to 'Art + Enterprise' co-creation, centred around the 'hoho' art intellectual property. Throughout the creative process, effective communication among the artist, client, and design teams ensured that Hofman’s artistic vision remained intact while addressing the practical considerations of each installation site. Every detail, from the curvature of a smile to the positioning of limbs, was thoughtfully refined, resulting in unique characters that resonate with their surroundings.