Bubbles in Hong Kong harbor are Japanese artist's thought-stirrer

Bubbles are seen in front of the skyline of the financial Central district, during a "Bubble Up" show by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki, outside Harbour City mall in Hong Kong, China August 2, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Millions of bubbles floated across Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour on Wednesday, the latest public art exhibition by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki.

His project, titled "Memorial Rebirth", uses a three-meter (10-foot) tall, six-tiered machine with 50 bubble-producing units to spew out 10,000 bubbles every minute, using up about 35 liters of bubble mix every 15 or 20 minutes.

"I wanted to create a space made with bubbles and light for people to ponder, 'What would happen if the world disappeared instantly like a bubble?'" said Ohmaki, 47, reflecting on the transient nature of his piece.

Children react in front of bubbles, during a "Bubble Up" show by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki, outside Harbour City mall in Hong Kong, China August 2, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

The exhibition runs to August 20 in Hong Kong.

(Reporting by Pak Yiu,; Writing by Karishma Singh)

Bubbles are seen in front of a Chinese national flag (top) and a Hong Kong flag, during a "Bubble Up" show by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki, outside Harbour City mall in Hong Kong, China August 2, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Bubbles are seen in front of the skyline of the financial Central district, during a "Bubble Up" show by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki, outside Harbour City mall in Hong Kong, China August 2, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Bubbles are seen in front of the skyline of the financial Central district, during a "Bubble Up" show by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki, outside Harbour City mall in Hong Kong, China August 2, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Children react in front of bubbles, during a "Bubble Up" show by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki, outside Harbour City mall in Hong Kong, China August 2, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip