Giant sculpture of bubblegum adds playful, whimsical vibe to a Dutch streetscape
Chew on This: The Whimsical World of Bubblegum
Some might argue that bubblegum is a useless snack, offering little in terms of nutrition and not meant for consumption. But for Dutch street artist Frankey, who finds it weird yet fascinating, bubblegum might just be the secret to wonder, play, and fun.
Frankey, known for his humorous and whimsical signature style called "positive interventions," unleashed his latest masterpiece - Hubbabubbabuilding. Part of Street Art Zandvoort 2025 in the Netherlands, this public art installation transfigures an ordinary house into a playful, cartoonish landscape where bubblegum bubbles burst through walls and windows. It's like a massive piece is about to burst free due to someone fervently blowing.
Perched atop a ladder next to the roof, a child-like figure (possibly Frankey himself) is shown blowing a colossal bubble. Peering inside a window, another character with curly hair and a red knit hat suggest the source of those enchanting bubbles. Undeniably, the bursting bubblegums and the large figure blowing through the chimney will catch your eye, making it hard for passersby to ignore.
Hubbabubbabuilding cleverly blends art and architecture, infusing laughter into the mundane urban setting. It prompts viewers to pause, smile, and look at their environment with wide-eyed wonder. With Gumballin' 2, Frankey's upcoming exhibit, we dare wait to see how he digs deeper into the cultural and emotional resonances of bubblegum.
Insight: Frankey's Humorous Public Art – Hubbabubbabuilding is a site-specific installation on Zandvoort promenade, Dutch NL, that metamorphoses an ordinary building facade into a bizarre, cartoon-like scene through gigantic pink bubblegum bubbles bursting through walls and windows. The piece is emblematic of the artist's signature style called "positive interventions" in public space, intended to seed humor, joy, and an imaginative perspective in everyday architecture. Leveraging the absurdity of bubblegum, Frankey compels viewers to pause, smile, and reconnect with childlike enchantment.
References:[1] https://www.streetartzandvoort.nl/[2] http://frankey.nl/
This whimsical art installation, Hubbabubbabuilding, by Dutch artist Frankey, blends entertainment and lifestyle, creating a unique events experience for viewers. By transforming an ordinary building into a cartoonish landscape filled with bursting bubblegum, Frankey encourages passersby to find wonder and joy in everyday architecture.