Monumentality of Everyday Objects

The Flashlight (1981) by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen
Campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Height: 38 ft.; Weight: 74,000 lbs.

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Las Vegas. Being a Claes Oldenburg enthusiast, I absolutely had to visit a couple of his sculptures in the area.

First, I went to visit the Flashlight at UNLV. It's an interesting experience viewing this work, seeing it at a distance but not realizing the full height of the piece until you get right up to it. Approaching from the nearby stairway and ascending to its base level, the full monumental quality is impressive. It may be a giant flashlight, but the scale makes it transcend mere commonality; like a Roman column or Egyptian obelisk, this sculpture has a commanding presence.

Then, I headed over to the City Center to see the Typewriter Eraser (Scale X). Although not as imposing as the Flashlight, this piece was more humorous, more dynamic. Amid the towering hotels and bustling crowds of the Strip, the Typewriter Eraser seemed at home, colorful and whimsical.

Typewriter Eraser, Scale X (1998-99) by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen
Las Vegas City Center
Height: 19 ft.; Weight: 4 tons
1 in an edition of 3

Fun stuff!!!

Neon Pop

Detail of Green Shirt (1965) by Robert Rauschenberg


When visiting the Norton Simon Museum, I rarely walk around towards the back side of the building, overlooking the parking lot. On those occasions that I have, I've noticed this work by Robert Rauschenberg, Green Shirt, a fine example of neon Pop Art, but I haven't ever seen it turned on.

This weekend, the lights were colorful and bright.

I had wondered about this piece previously. But there isn't much info available on the work, at least not on the Internet. Doing an image search only turns up a few photos, most of which don't show things in detail.

Detail of Green Shirt (1965) by Robert Rauschenberg

So, I figured that I'd share a few photos for you all. ;-)

Why is a Giant Lipstick on Tank Tracks?

Giant Pool Balls (1967) by Claes Oldenburg

Oh, I used to despise Claes Oldenburg, as I would see his Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks on a near daily basis.

It wasn't that I thought that all art should be serious, although that was my general bias. Rather, it's that art ought not to be overtly silly. Soft sculptures of hard objects, giant versions of small items, and tank-like lipsticks, these are all goofy ideas, too absurd to regarded with respect.

But age has brought me a more laidback attitude, an appreciation for the playful and cheeky. I now look upon Oldenburg's work with fondness, both for its distinct aesthetic and for how it marks my maturity as an art enthusiast. ;-)

Giant Soft Ketchup Bottle with Ketchup (1967) by Claes Oldenburg

During the Pacific Standard Time activities, I've been able to see quite a few of Oldenburg's works. So, in celebration of his birthday, born in 1929, here are a few photos of works that I've recently seen.