Why I chose Claes Oldenburg
Claes Oldenburg is a modern sculptor who is famous for his public installations reminiscent of large everyday objects. Another direction of his sculptural art is the creation of soft versions of familiar objects. Many of his works were created in collaboration with his wife, who has now passed away. I chose this artist because his art is atypical, unique, and full of surprises. It is amazing how different the view of everyday objects is offered by his sculptures. Many people do not think about the nature and features of everyday things, while Oldenburg shows them in great detail. It is also interesting how masterfully the artist fits his installations into the environment in order to add a certain context to the works.
The materials Oldenburg uses
Oldenburg uses a variety of materials for his works, including steel, aluminum, bronze, paper, paint, enamel, plastic, and wood. The artist uses unique combinations of those materials in each of his works. I like it because it reflects Oldenburg’s unique approach to depicting everyday objects. First of all, he chooses materials based on the idea he wants to convey, as well as on the basis of their similarity with the texture of objects. It expresses his attention to detail and desire to repeat objects, bringing new representations to them. The artist uses materials to maximize the repetition of objects but leaves them not as copies but as representations. He combines various materials in such a way that they complement each other harmoniously and looks natural. I like this use because it allows Oldenburg to recreate objects while still being art.
My favorite work
One of my favorite works is Shuttlecock, collaborating with the artist’s wife in 1994 for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This sculpture is four 18-foot-tall badminton shuttlecocks casually placed on the museum’s lawn. It is noteworthy that three shuttlecocks are located in front of the museum, while one is located behind it. This arrangement allowed the artists to incorporate the museum’s building into the installation. This work is my favorite precisely because of its scale and interaction with environment. In addition to giving the impression that the giants were playing badminton, the sculptures also skillfully use the museum building as an extension of the art. I think that this technique reflects the nature of Oldenburg’s art, which lies in the mixture of everyday life and art.
The work I do not like
My least favorite artist’s work is the Geometric mouse created in 1975. First of all, I would not say I like this work because it is an example of abstract art, which does not quite correspond to the usual style of Oldenburg. Although the sculpture consists of simple forms and also resembles early movie cameras, it is difficult to determine what it is immediately. I think this work is rather unsuccessful than good since even with an exclusively aesthetic perspective, it does not attract the viewer.
Conclusion
I really like Oldenburg’s work and his artistic style in general. He is one of those artists who successfully integrate art into everyday life. Although his approach seems straightforward, the unexpected details he emphasizes and how he integrates his installations into space give familiar objects a new dimension. It is amazing what stories can be hidden behind the installations and what prompted the artist to recreate these particular objects. For me, Oldenburg’s work is extremely inspiring, and I believe the artist’s style will have a huge impact on my future projects.