There's been a spate of weird and wonderful creations springing up across the city. While a giant pink kitten looms over Century Park in Pudong New Area, a pandemonium of pandas made from recycled materials has gathered outside the Jing'an Kerry Centre.

But while such installations can help brighten our days, the fun can be ruined for everyone by the actions of a few. This was shown by the recent case of a promotional display that was destroyed by passers-by. The giant pear at Grand Gateway 66 shopping mall in Xujiahui advertising a toy company was covered with 15,000 toy ducks when it was put on display last Friday. By the following Monday, half the ducks had been taken.

There have been similar cases. Last April, visitors to the bamboo section of the Shanghai Botanical Garden dug up bamboo shoots, despite signs warning them not to. Although anyone caught digging up bamboo shoots is liable to a 20 yuan ($3.19) fine, the garden authorities seldom enforced this.

The Global Times took to the streets to find out what foreign residents and visitors to the city think of such behavior.

This statue of hurdling hero Liu Xiang in Nanjing Road East lies seriously damaged after tourists climbed on it breaking its support. Photo: CFP

The giant pear stands stripped of toy ducks after thousands were looted from it by visitors over the weekend. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

 

A man passes by the ducks Friday. Photo: IC

 

Hannah Cameron, designer, UK

"It's always sad to see people disrespecting things like this, that were put there for the common good. It's selfish. But as a designer, I can also say that in a lot of cases there's a fault in the design of these pieces that encourages people to damage them. In the case of the duck installation, you just need to look at it. It's on a raised platform, and there are different colors at the top. It's being presented as a challenge, a climbing frame, and you're just asking for trouble. People love a challenge.

But it's also a shame people don't respect things. Not just in terms of the audience, but also in terms of the bodies that commission these works, and who are supposed to protect them. For example, I heard that the large flower installation next to the elevated highway in Hongqiao was originally going to be the work of the artist. However, when the authority that commissioned it requested that the artist make changes to the original design, the artist refused. So instead of trying to find a compromise, the authority took the piece and finished it, to its own specifications. The artist disowned the piece. But it's disgusting how the artist was treated."

Chris Ball, copywriter, UK"This seems to be a rare event. I have been amazed at how little vandalism there is in Shanghai compared to other cities in the world. There are television screens in the bus stops here and they remain untouched. In London or New York or Sydney the screens would have been busted within an hour or two of their installation and every bus stop would have been sprayed with paint and daubed in graffiti. It seems to me that the installation with the duck was either badly designed or not signposted enough to advise people that the ducks were not to be removed. Whichever, there was obviously a complete lack of security for a work of art. It was strange to read that some students tried to return their ducks when they realized this was a work of art. I doubt any vandals in Western countries would have been so conscience-smitten. The problem with the garden is a different matter and also suggests a lack of security and understanding. But presumably the people digging up bamboo shoots were not young vandals intent on destroying something that was intended for all to enjoy."

Tom Jeavons, student, US

"I'm not so worried about this. After all, I'm sure the company got exactly what it wanted from all the press coverage. I'm not saying they planned it like this, but if they did that's pretty good marketing. I don't think this kind of action is limited to China. It is human nature. It just takes one person to start it. People see someone take something, or do something, and they assume it is okay. Before you know it, everyone is doing it. But when this kind of thing happens to works of art, it's sad. Especially when it's famous pieces of art, like the Rothko painting that was defaced in London a while back. Even when the person is trying to make a legitimate political point, if they damage an important work of art, it's still vandalism."

Eric Sun, personal assistant, US

"I was born in China, and I lived here until I was 6. I was taught a lot about China by my parents. Based on my experience, I'm not surprised when this kind of thing happens in China. There's a lack of respect and a disregard for things placed in public spaces, unless there's a penalty involved. Without punishment and negative reinforcement, people will do this kind of thing. In the recent case of the duck installation, it's telling that some students felt ashamed enough to return the ducks they had taken once they found out they were not for free. In Shanghai, a lot of students have been exposed to ideas where such actions are frowned upon. I don't think people particularly differentiate between whether it's an advertisement or a piece of art. Perhaps they would have less trepidation about damaging an object if it was an advertisement. But what matters is that when people see something is in a public space, they assume it is theirs and just take it for themselves without further consideration. That says a lot about this society and what needs to be changed."

A.J. Shainker, English teacher, US

"I wonder first, whether there was a sign telling people they were not allowed to touch the piece. If there wasn't, then perhaps people thought they could touch it. Some art is made to be interacted with. Second, in the case of the rubber ducks, it seems that they came off easily. Perhaps some fell of their own accord in the first place, leading passers-by to believe it was okay to remove them and take them home.

The other thing I think of are street artists, like Banksy. Perhaps now such art has become a staple in our lives. Perhaps the advert that has graffiti on it becomes more of a work of art than it was before. When it comes to art versus commerce … if it's a piece created by a starving artist who has poured heart and soul into it, then it's a far greater shame when a piece is damaged than if it was created by some huge corporation that can just easily buy another to replace it.

But in the end, I don't lose sleep over this. If the rubber ducks make people happy, then great."