The Mystery Artist

Who is this? a) Mickey Mouse b) Claus Oldenburg c) Santa Claus

Who is this? a) Mickey Mouse b) Claus Oldenburg c) Santa Claus If you guessed Claus Oldenburg, you are right!

Claus was born in Sweden in 1929.

Claus was born in Sweden in His father was a Swedish Consul general. The family moved to Chicago in 1936, when Claus was still a boy.

Claus was born in Sweden in His father was a Swedish Consul general. The family moved to Chicago in 1936, when Claus was still a boy. Claus studied literature and art history at Yale. He married artist Coosje van Bruggen. Claus and Coosje often worked together.

Which of these pieces of art did Claus create? a) b)

Which of these pieces of art did Claus create? b) is correct. In the mid-1980's, Claus and Coosje made “Spoon Bridge and Cherry”, which is in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Claus liked to make large, playful sculptures, such as this giant apple core...

… and these huge binoculars, which form the entrance to a building. Claus liked to make large, playful sculptures, such as this giant apple core...

What material do you think this giant hamburger sculpture is made of? a) sand b) marshmallows c) cloth fabric

What material do you think this giant hamburger sculpture is made of? a) sand b) marshmallows c) cloth fabric c)! Claus liked to use unusual materials, especially fabrics, in his works of art. especially fabrics, in his works of art.

What material do you think this giant hamburger sculpture is made of? a) sand b) marshmallows c) cloth fabric c)! Claus liked to use unusual materials, especially fabrics, in his works of art. especially fabrics, in his works of art. These so-called “soft sculptures” can be pushed around and even sat upon!

Many of his soft sculptures were food, like...Many of his soft sculptures depicted food, like...

Many of his soft sculptures were food, like... these french fries Many of his soft sculptures depicted food, like...

Many of his soft sculptures were food, like... these french fries and this sandwich Many of his soft sculptures depicted food, like...

Do you think everyone liked Claus' sculptures right away?

No! Some people thought they were a waste of time, but now most people think they are fun to see.

Claus made many large sculptures for parks and cities.

giant whisk broom and dust pan

Claus made many large sculptures for parks and cities. huge clothes pin giant whisk broom and dust pan

Claus made many large sculptures for parks and cities. huge clothes pin giant whisk broom and dust pan and safety pin

What is this? a) a ship with oars b) a pocket knife c) both a ship AND a knife

What is this? a) a ship with oars b) a pocket knife c) both a ship AND a knife It is BOTH -- a ship with oars AND a pocket knife! The oars really move and the knife blades go in and out!

Who are these people? And what have they done?

Who are these people? And what have they done? They are Claus Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen and they made large, silly art!

Who are these people? And what have they done? They are Claus Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen and they made large, silly art!

Who are these people? And what have they done? They are Claus Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen and they made large, silly art!

Who are these people? And what have they done? They are Claus Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen and they made large, silly art! The End