A giant fox on the streets of Rotterdam: it's the work of Florentijn Hofman. Photos

A giant fox roams the streets of Rotterdam carrying a shopping bag in its mouth: it is the new installation by Dutch artist and designer Florentijn Hofman (Delfzijl, 1977), who has become known for his unique, cartoonish-looking giant animals that have invaded several cities around the world. The mega-fox made its appearance in the Bospolder-Tussendijken neighborhood, chosen because of its proximity to parks where several foxes are actually found, but also because it is home to the Grote Visserijstraat market, to which the bag the fox holds in its mouth alludes. The work was installed in a large square at the edge of a street, in a particularly gray area of the neighborhood, with the result that the colossal fox’s bright colors contrast with those of the city.

Hofman wants to intend his 16-meter-tall colossal canine as a symbol of the contrast between the city and nature, but also as a symbol of openness: for Rotterdam is one of the most multi-ethnic cities in Europe, and letting a fox roam the city means not only welcoming nature, but also opening the door to diversity. And the fact that it is so tall also means welcoming new points of view.

“The fox,” said Hofman, “is an intruder, a graceful and colorful nocturnal animal. The inhabitants of Rotterdam come largely from other places, and they, like the fox, are looking for a better life in the city. So Rotterdam must open its doors to nature, to newcomers, to new perspectives.” The animal is thus set to change the history of a neighborhood that is very much connected to nature: “Bospolder” contains the words “Bos” (forest) and “polder” (a term for a stretch of sea drained through dykes), and the fox will thus also be a way to remember the rural origins of this part of the city. Below are photos of the fox by Florentijn Hofman.

A giant fox on the streets of Rotterdam: it's the work of Florentijn Hofman. Photos

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