Spoonbridge and Cherry

Spoonbridge and Cherry is a large-scale sculpture created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, installed in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. The sculpture is a prominent example of Pop art and has become a iconic landmark in Minneapolis, attracting visitors from around the world, including fans of Modern art, Contemporary art, and Public art. It is often compared to other notable works by Oldenburg and van Bruggen, such as Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks and Typewriter Eraser, Scale X. The sculpture has been featured in various publications, including The New York Times, Artforum, and Sculpture Magazine, and has been exhibited alongside works by other notable artists, such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns.

Introduction

The sculpture Spoonbridge and Cherry is a collaboration between Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, who were known for their large-scale sculptures that often featured everyday objects, such as Soft Toilet and Shuttlecocks. The sculpture is a giant spoon with a cherry on top, measuring over 50 feet long and weighing over 5,000 pounds, and is made of aluminum and steel, with a stainless steel stem and a red epoxy cherry. The sculpture is a popular spot for photography, and has been featured in various advertising campaigns, including those for Target Corporation and General Mills. Visitors to the sculpture often compare it to other notable landmarks in Minneapolis, such as the Stone Arch Bridge and the Mill City Museum.

Design and Construction

The design of Spoonbridge and Cherry was inspired by the Surrealist movement and the idea of taking everyday objects out of their usual context, as seen in the works of Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. The sculpture was constructed using a combination of welding and casting techniques, and was fabricated by Milgo Bufkin, a company that has worked with other notable artists, including Donald Judd and Dan Flavin. The sculpture's aluminum surface was anodized to give it a durable and corrosion-resistant finish, and the stainless steel stem was polished to a high shine. The sculpture's design and construction have been praised by critics, including Robert Smithson and Lucy Lippard, who have written about the sculpture's use of industrial materials and its site-specific design.

History

Spoonbridge and Cherry was installed in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in 1988, as part of a larger public art project that included works by other notable artists, such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. The sculpture was a gift to the Walker Art Center from Seymour and Rhonda Herman, who were longtime supporters of the arts in Minneapolis. The sculpture has undergone several restorations and conservation treatments over the years, including a major restoration in 2016, which was overseen by Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts and Minneapolis Institute of Art. The sculpture has been featured in various exhibitions and publications, including a retrospective of Oldenburg's work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Significance and Reception

Spoonbridge and Cherry has become a beloved landmark in Minneapolis, and is often cited as one of the most iconic examples of Public art in the United States. The sculpture has been praised for its whimsical and playful design, which has made it a popular spot for family photography and social media selfies. The sculpture has also been recognized for its cultural significance, and has been featured in various academic studies and art historical texts, including those by Harold Rosenberg and Clement Greenberg. The sculpture has been compared to other notable works of Public art, such as Christo and Jeanne-Claude's The Gates and Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate.

Conservation and Maintenance

The Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture is maintained by the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, who work together to ensure the sculpture's long-term preservation and conservation. The sculpture is regularly cleaned and inspected to prevent deterioration and damage, and has undergone several restoration treatments over the years to maintain its original appearance and integrity. The sculpture's aluminum surface is protected from the elements using a clear coat of varnish, and the stainless steel stem is polished regularly to prevent tarnishing. The sculpture's conservation and maintenance are overseen by a team of conservators and curators from the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, who work together to ensure the sculpture's long-term preservation and conservation. Category:Public art in Minneapolis