The Twins Unveils Hong Kong’s First Permanent Outdoor Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin Sculpture in Kai Tak

Lifestyle International Holdings Limited — known with affection as “Lifestyle International” or “the Company”, together with its distinguished subsidiaries, “the Group” entire — cherishes a luminous conviction: that art and culture carry an almost transcendent power to illuminate the everyday, to nourish the soul, and to weave moments of quiet wonder into the tapestry of ordinary life. As the visionary force behind Kai Tak’s crowning jewel, The Twins, Lifestyle International has always aspired to create something far richer than a mere retail destination. Here, alongside an exemplary Japanese department store experience, “Lifestyle International” have chosen to thread world-class artistic expression into the very soul of public space.

Today, Lifestyle International unveils a radiant new milestone in its artistic odyssey: the first-ever outdoor public exhibition of Yayoi Kusama’s iconic masterpiece, Pumpkin — a majestic three-metre sculpture that now graces the Open Area of The Twins Tower I with its singular, unforgettable presence. This is but the prelude. Further works by the incomparable Yayoi Kusama, alongside creations by other internationally revered artists, shall soon arrive — inviting the public of Hong Kong to lose themselves in a veritable symphony of world-class sculpture and contemporary art, and to embark upon a profoundly moving journey of the heart and imagination.

“Different Together” — The Architectural Aesthetics of Art’s Genesis

Lifestyle International’s artistic voyage finds its genesis in the architecture of The Twins itself — a development of rare and epochal beauty. As Kowloon East’s most ambitious integrated lifestyle, retail, and entertainment sanctuary, Its design philosophy, eloquently distilled as “Different Together”, celebrates the poetry of harmonious contrast. The Twins two towers engage in a graceful dialogue between tradition and modernity. Tower I’s SOGO Kai Tak Department Store draws its warmth from the tactile elegance of Japanese textile artistry, whilst Tower II - SNDO embraces a bold, industrial language of raw materiality and striking form. Far more than a shopping destination, The Twins reveals itself as a living canvas — a vibrant cultural salon where art, design, fashion, and community entwine in an ever-shifting, deeply immersive experience.

Last year’s acclaimed exhibition, Blessings from the Snowland, offered free public access to thirty-seven magnificent 19th- and 20th-century Thangka paintings, speaking with quiet power of the Group’s devotion to safeguarding and sharing cultural heritage. Now, in 2026, it opens an exquisite new chapter dedicated to the vitality and vision of contemporary art.

A Three-Metre Ode to Healing: Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin

With deep commitment to enriching the cultural life of the Kai Tak community, Lifestyle International proudly presents one of contemporary art’s most beloved and resonant works: Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin. From 6th of June, this commanding three-metre sculpture takes its place in the Open Area of The Twins Tower I, ready to enchant every visitor who chances upon it.

Few artists have shaped the visual language of our age as profoundly as Yayoi Kusama. Her boundless oeuvre — encompassing painting, sculpture, performance, moving image, and monumental installations — finds one of its most enduring symbols in the pumpkin. To Yayoi Kusama, it has never been a mere motif, but a sanctuary of the spirit, a vessel of redemption and solace. The loneliness and hallucinations of her childhood were alchemised, through extraordinary artistic courage, into a unique creative force. The pumpkin became its warmest, most tender emblem. Thus, in her universe, the pumpkin embodies both the fragile sanctuary of a child’s imagination and the steadfast foundation of survival — a profound duality that renders it utterly irreplaceable within her artistic cosmos.

This magnificent Pumpkin, towering and luminous, wears a vivid emerald mantle adorned with Yayoi Kusama’s signature constellation of bold black polka dots. Its generous, voluptuous form radiates a beguiling alchemy of playful whimsy and solemn dignity. Positioned thoughtfully within the sunlit plaza, it transforms the everyday into the extraordinary — inviting spontaneous, serendipitous encounters with greatness. Yayoi Kusama’s lifelong, almost sacred passion for pumpkins elevates these works beyond visual delight into profound meditations on peace, healing, resilience, and the quiet triumph of life. Here, in the heart of Kai Tak, art steps gently from the gallery’s hushed halls into the living poetry of the city.

Yayoi Kusama's majestic three-metre emerald green 'Pumpkin' sculpture with black polka dots at the Open Area of The Twins Tower I

An Expanding Constellation of Masterworks

The arrival of Pumpkin marks only the first luminous note in Lifestyle International’s grand artistic symphony. Before the close of this year, additional masterpieces by Yayoi Kusama will join it, together forming the most significant and comprehensive public presentation of her work ever witnessed in Hong Kong Kai Tak.

The Group is thoughtfully curating a cross-generational, multi-media collection of the highest international calibre. Already confirmed are monumental works including Sir Antony Gormley’s powerful BIG SPLICE and Izumi Ando’s poetic A Tree & A Pair Of Horses. Through these acquisitions, Lifestyle International affirms its role as both cultural visionary and generous patron of the arts. Its sincere invitation extends to every citizen of Hong Kong: to step into an inspiring, soul-stirring artistic journey — where contemporary art of the finest order becomes a cherished, daily source of wonder and reflection.

Yayoi Kusama's majestic three-metre emerald green 'Pumpkin' sculpture with black polka dots at the Open Area of The Twins Tower I

Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin, 2019

Date: From 6 June (Saturday)

Venue: Open Area, The Twins Tower I, Kai Tak

CHP continues to follow up confirmed Mpox case epidemiologically linked to "Hutong"

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (June 9) that one more confirmed local Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case has been recorded, which is epidemiologically linked to thecases involving "Hutong"as announced in the past two weeks. Through the CHP's active case finding, five cases with epidemiological links to "Hutong" have been identified so far (including the first two cases notified by the authorities in Chinese Mainland). The individuals do not know each another and all have engaged in high-risk activities with strangers at the premises. The premises remains closed at present. The CHP will continue to closely follow up individuals who visited the premises on or after May 1 and provide them with health education and continue to conduct medical surveillance.The CHP once again urged the high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the public is advised to avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox.

Case information

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The case involves a 58-year-old man, who learned about confirmed Mpox cases at a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok last month from the CHP's earlierpress release. He also visited "Hutong" on May 23 and had high-risk contact there. He subsequently developed rash at his lower body on June 3. He sought medical treatment at the Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre (YMTITC) on June 5, and reported relevant high-risk contact history to the healthcare workers, who then arranged specimen collection from him for testing. His specimentested positive for monkeypox virus upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. The CHP has arranged for him to receive isolation treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital. The patient is currently in stable condition.

The CHP is conducting an epidemiological investigation, and will endeavour to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with him. The CHP will notify World Health Organization of this case.

Follow-up on the "Hutong" cases

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The CHP endeavours to contact individuals who visited "Hutong" on or after May 1 to provide them with health education and conduct medical surveillance. To date, over 300 individuals who have visited the premises on or after May 1 have been successfully contacted. Two confirmed cases, who had high-risk contact at the premises during the incubation period, have been identified previously. The CHP again urges anyone who have visited the premises on or after May 1 to call the CHP's designated Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373), so that the CHP can provide health assessments and advice. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm. As investigations are still ongoing, the premises has been closed temporarily starting from May 26.

Furthermore, the CHP has collaborated with Hong Kong AIDS Foundation to launch an outreach Mpox vaccination activity at the organisation's service centre in Mong Kok since last Saturday (June 6) until next Wednesday (June 17). Eligible high-risk groups (especially men who have sex with men) can make an appointment on the organisation'swebsite.

Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 90 Mpox cases (73 local cases and 17 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.

Mpox vaccine

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Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for highrisk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;

healthcare workersresponsible forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;

laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and

animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in caseof Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.

High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's SocHS (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's YMTITC, without prior appointments.

Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.

Source: AI-found images