Whirlwind romance? Hong Kong’s ‘Chubby Hearts’ display calls second timeout ahead of expected high wind speeds – Technologist

Hong Kong’s giant heart-shaped balloon installation is taking another break as high wind speeds force its organiser to suspend the floating artwork for the second time in a week since its Valentine’s Day launch.

The Hong Kong Design Centre, which organised the event, wrote on social media on Friday that the 12-metre (39-foot) “Chubby Hearts” display would be briefly paused due to expected “sudden changes in wind speed and direction” at the Statue Square Gardens in Central.

A strong northeast monsoon was forecast to bring slightly cooler weather to the coast of southern China over the weekend and early to midweek next week.

Temperatures might drop by about five degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit) to 16 degrees by next Friday.

The balloon would need to be taken down if the wind speed reached about 41km/h (25mph), similar to that experienced under a typhoon No 3 signal, a source said.

The installation, believed to be four times the size of one on display in London, was first taken down last Saturday as the wind speed in Central exceeded the maximum limit that the installation can withstand.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the 10-minute mean wind speed at Central Pier stood at 17.5km/h at 1pm.

The organiser added there would be a showcase for a pair of three-metre Chubby Hearts in Central to make up for the cancellation of the original display.

Hong Kong’s ‘Chubby Heart’ skips a beat as weather forces event to take break

“We’ve specially arranged two three-metre Chubby Hearts at Statue Square Gardens in Central today for the public to appreciate! Come and capture this romantic moment from 1pm to 9pm today!” it said.

The installation and its smaller counterparts will be on display across the city until February 24.

Authorities last week revealed the organiser of the installation, which is categorised as a major local event, had sought HK$7.8 million (US$997,180) in government funding to showcase the art piece from British designer Anya Hindmarch.

The funds have yet to be approved and would cover the costs of curation, exhibition production, security, market research and promotion.