'Messy Puppy' Sculpture Drives 9 Billion TWD in Sales at Shanghai Flower Festival

Central News Agency (Shanghai, 26th) At the recent Shanghai International Flower Festival, a 5.2-meter-tall giant green sculpture, dubbed by the public as the 'Messy Puppy,' has become a viral sensation, driving a more than 190% increase in foot traffic to the surrounding area. This year's festival brought nearly 30 million visitors to Shanghai and generated 2 billion RMB (approximately 9 billion TWD) in sales.

According to CCTV News, the 'Messy Puppy' is covered in greenery and flowers. Its fur is made of fine-leaf Stipa to recreate a fluffy texture, while its floral vest is composed of various colors of petunias, with succulents accentuating the inner ears, mouth, and tail.

Project manager Feng Rui explained that the inspiration for the sculpture came from a fluffy West Highland White Terrier. He noted that the 'messy' look was not intentional but turned out to be a stroke of genius. When the sculpture was first completed, it was too tall and green, appearing somewhat unnatural. However, as the plants were exposed to sun and rain, the grass gradually turned yellow, resembling the natural color of a dog's fur and adding a sense of 'messy' realism.

The 'Messy Puppy' has been widely embraced by the public, fueling an 'emotional economy.' Data from the Jing'an District Commerce Commission shows that from the festival's opening on April 18 to May 5, the MixC World in Suhewan received a cumulative 1.701 million visitors, a 192.53% increase compared to the same period last year, driving total consumption of 61.5691 million RMB, up 49.22% year-on-year.

With many citizens calling for the 'Messy Puppy' to be kept permanently, the Jing'an District Greening and City Appearance Department and the project organizers announced on the 8th of this month that the display will be extended for three months. Considering the visual effect and weather conditions, the puppy is expected to get a 'makeover' in June.

This year's Shanghai Flower Festival ran from April 18 to May 10, featuring two main venues and ten sub-venues. It was the first time the exhibition moved from botanical gardens to all 16 districts of the city, filling the city with flowers and boosting consumption in markets, cultural and creative sectors, and dining. According to CCTV, the festival attracted 30 million visitors across Shanghai, driving 2 billion RMB in commercial sales.