(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)

CLAES OLDENBURG

Giant Rubber Stamp Cleveland, OH	Giant Clothespin Philadelphia, PA	Giant Typewriter Eraser Washington, DC	Giant Binoculars Venice, CA	Big Sweep Denver, CO

The Giant Rubber Stamp was created by Claes Oldenburg. The 28' by 48' stamp was commissioned by the Amoco Oil Company in 1985. It was intended to be displayed in Amoco's lobby but ended up in storage in Indiana for seven years. In 1991, it was donated to Cleveland. For more about the stamp, see these websites: 1 and 2. Oldenburg became famous in the early 1960s with his giant soft sculptures of everyday objects. In the late 1960s, his sculptures became larger and moved outdoors to public spaces around the world. He began collaborating with Coosje van Bruggen in 1976 and they married in 1977. They created more than 40 sculpture installations together until her death in 2009. For more, see their website. The Giant Clothespin is another Claes Oldenburg creation from 1976. It is 54' tall and its significance (if any) is unknown. Originally, Oldenburg had wanted to build a Giant Screw. Oldenburg also created a Split Button for Philadelphia. The Giant Typewriter Eraser is another Oldenburg, created in 1999. It is made of fiberglass and stainless steel. For more, see this website. The Giant Binoculars are 45' tall and were created from 1989-1991. They were originally designed for a project in Venice, Italy that fell through. Architect Frank Gehry liked the design and incorporated it into his Chiat/Day Buildimg. The binoculars themselves function as office space. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. The Big Sweep was installed in 2006. It consists of a 31' tall metal sculpture of a broom and dustpan. For more, see this website.

Spoonbridge and Cherry Minneapolis, MN

The Spoonbridge and Cherry was created and installed in 1988. The stainless steel and aluminum sculpture is approximately 29' long and 13' tall. It is installed at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. The sculpture is set in a pond where it acts as a fountain. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Giant Three-Way Plug Oberlin, OH	Giant Shuttlecock Kansas City, MO	Giant Handkerchief Kansas City, MO	Giant Baseball Bat Chicago, IL

The Giant Three-Way Plug is another Oldenburg, created in 1970. It is made of bronize and is one of three identical sculptures (one is in St. Louis, MO, not sure where the other one is). Oldenburg has created other three-way plugs over the years of various materials, including one of mahogany and another of vinyl. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. This 18' tall Giant Shuttlecock stands on the lawn in front of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. There are four shuttlecocks (badminton birdies) designed by Oldenburg/van Bruggen and installed in 1994 around the museum's sculpture garden. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The 12' tall Giant Handkerchief was created by Oldenburg/van Bruggen. It was installed in front of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in 2006. It represents a white handkerchief billowing out of a suit pocket. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. The Chicago Baseball Bat, aka the Batcolumn, is another creation by Oldenburg/van Bruggen. It was installed in 1977 in front of the Social Security Administration Building. The 100' tall steel bat was made in CT. The whiffle structure helps it withstand windy weather. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Hats in Three Stages of Landing Salinas, CA

Hats in Three Stages of Landing consists of three aluminum and steel hats. They were commissioned by the City in 1978 and installed in 1982. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Bow and Arrow San Francisco, CA

The Bow and Arrow, entitled "Cupid's Span", was installed in 2002. The 60' tall steel and plastic statue is located near the Bay Bridge. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

More Oldenburg Sculptures: Safety Pin, Trowel & Hankie (New York, NY) Dropped Ice Cream Cone (Koln, Germany) Bowling Pins (Eindhoven, Netherlands) For a complete list, see this website.

Main Page

Links