Claes Oldenburg

Giant Hamburger, soft sculpture by Claes Oldenburg

CLAES OLDENBURG

b. 1927

genre: Pop Art

art project: collage

materials: scrap papers, cardboard, etc.; scissors and glue

Artist background and discussion:

Claes Oldenburg is a super famous and successful pop artist who makes large public sculptures in cities throughout the world as well as smaller soft sculptures. His focus is on monumentalizing (and sometimes satirizing) the objects that are significant parts of our daily lives (see the slideshowhttp://www.slideshare.net/GeorgeKellyArt/claes-oldenburg-54665270 for examples: a baseball bat in Chicago, an upturned ice cream cone in Germany, a big forkful of spaghetti). As you look at the slideshow of his work with the kids, you could prompt them on a discussion about what kind of things do we choose to make art from? Can art make you laugh or does it always need to be serious? Does it make you think differently about that big forkful of spaghetti to see it so large? If you were going to make a sculpture of your favorite thing, what would it be? (and, has anyone see the San Francisco Claes Oldenburg sculpture in person?)

Art Activity:

Based on this fun project, the goal is to make a collage of a big crazy sandwich. The kids should use papers with different textures and designs to create a sandwich that is visually appealing (or - better yet, just INTERESTING). Egg cartons work really well for the top and bottom bread, but be creative with the supplies and materials you offer the kids!

(image from itisartday.blogspot.com)