The “Pissing Polar bear” statue was officially unveiled in Groningen earlier today. The artwork is part of an exhibit which calls for a better future through art.
Just outside the Groninger museum, facing Groningen’s central station, stands the great white polar bear, pissing into the canal. The statue is a creation by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman (46), well known internationally for his large public installations, particularly his giant floating rubber ducks. The pissed off bear was previously on display in Amersfoort as part of an exhibit of the Museum Flehite. It represents dissatisfaction with the current climate crisis.
“This polar bear has chosen to show his displeasure. That’s why he pees so loudly in our canal. Just as crooked as we sometimes treat nature,” Museum Flehite’s director, Paul Baltus, told RTV Utrecht.
The statue now finds its peeing ground in Groningen as part of the Children’s Biennale exhibition. Through art installations and activities, the exhibit encourages children (and adults) to think about issues that need to be addressed for a better world.
In addition to the Polar bear, Hofman will also present a giant cardboard earthworm. The installation can be visited from March 9th until November 3rd.
