After a 2 year hiatus, Suminoe Art Beat festival is set to return to the Creative Center Osaka in Kitagaya, Suminoe on the 14th of November of this year. Overflowing with creative works from up-and-coming artists of the Kitagaya area, as well as a number of food stalls to chow down at and pop-up workshops to get involved in, there is enough going on at the event to keep the whole family occupied.

Alongside all the hands-on fun and action, the event will also be bringing a familiar face back to town – Florentijn Hofman’s Rubber Duck.

Floating on the water of the dock, the giant 9.5 meter tall inflatable rubber duck sculpture will be the main spectacle of the event.

The giant rubber duck is just one of several oversized rubber duck sculptures designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. First appearing in 2007, the ducks have been displayed in major cities across the world including Hong Kong, Seoul, Amsterdam, Sydney and Toronto.
The ducks are constructed using several hundred pieces of PVC, all carefully sewn together by sewing machines.

Though much, much bigger than your standard bath companion, the giant rubber duck set to go on display at Suminoe Art Beat festival is in fact dwarfed by the original rubber duck, which stood at a lofty 26 meters when it was on display in France back in 2007. However, the one displayed at Suminoe Art Beat is particularly loved by the locals, as it was in Kitakagaya that this duck was put together.

In celebration of the return of both the Suminoe Art Beat festival and the giant rubber duck, there will be a number of rubber duck-themed goods for sale at the event. Examples of some of the items up for grabs include masks, hand towels, keyrings and t-shirts.
These items are expected to sell out quickly, so to be safe, there is an option to pre-order them online and pick them up with a QR code from a collection stall on the day.

Further information on what goods are available to pre-order or purchase directly at the event (depending on availability) can be found on the Narabee pre-ordering website.

Suminoe Art Beat 2021

Date: Sunday 14th November 2021
Time: 11: 00-16: 00
Venue: Creative Center Osaka, 4-1-55 Kitakagaya, Suminoe-ku
Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Exit 4 of Kitakagaya Station (Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line)