Towering Thumb
Celebrated as France’s answer to Andy Warhol, César Baldaccini created a lifetime of incredible sculptures including the French cinema’s equivalent of the Oscar statuette, the César. His art can be admired at various museums in France and around the world, but one of his most popular works stands out on a street in downtown Paris. Le Pouce (‘The Thumb’) is an over-sized sculpture on display in the La Défense quarter of the City of Light. Tipping the scales at 18 tons, Baldaccini modeled this 40-foot high digit after his own thumb.
Big Cherry and Spoon
Come to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and you’ll find a king-sized spoon—garnished with a huge cherry—lying leisurely across a quaint reflecting pool. Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen designed “Spoonbridge and Cherry” to serve as a fountain sculpture; the cherry’s stem emits a cascade of water causing the bright red fruit to shimmer in the summer sun. In winter, when the fountain is quiet, fallen snow turns the sculpture into a delightful ice cream sundae.
Oversized Silver Dog
Come to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and you’ll find a king-sized spoon—garnished with a huge cherry—lying leisurely across a quaint reflecting pool. Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen designed “Spoonbridge and Cherry” to serve as a fountain sculpture; the cherry’s stem emits a cascade of water causing the bright red fruit to shimmer in the summer sun. In winter, when the fountain is quiet, fallen snow turns the sculpture into a delightful ice cream sundae.
Large Flying Bowling Pins
The city of Eindhoven found a playful way to turn the commute to its downtown core into a more enchanting journey. Along the park-like median at the crossroads of Kennedylaan and Fellenoord Avenues, drivers and pedestrians discover the unexpected delight of a giant game of bowling in full swing. Bright yellow bowling pins take flight in the midst of a successful strike. By converting an otherwise stale, grassy boulevard into a fanciful sculpture exhibit, artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Brugeen’s ‘Flying Pins’ scores full points.
Giant Pineapple
The city of Eindhoven found a playful way to turn the commute to its downtown core into a more enchanting journey. Along the park-like median at the crossroads of Kennedylaan and Fellenoord Avenues, drivers and pedestrians discover the unexpected delight of a giant game of bowling in full swing. Bright yellow bowling pins take flight in the midst of a successful strike. By converting an otherwise stale, grassy boulevard into a fanciful sculpture exhibit, artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Brugeen’s ‘Flying Pins’ scores full points.
Monster Saw
It’s no surprise that the spectacular buildings that comprise the Tokyo International Exhibition Center—or Tokyo Big Sight—are accessorized by several pieces of distinctive public art. Topping the list of eye-catching sculptures is the massive 50-foot high, red-handled handsaw sticking out of the ground in front of the main entrance hall. Created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, the saw attracts art lovers, curious onlookers, and tourists with a sense of humor.
Gigantic Dreaming Girl
Halfway between Liverpool and Manchester, the 65-foot high face of a sleeping girl towers above the busy M62 highway. With her eyes closed and serene expression, ‘Dream’ appears to be lost in a deep reverie. Built on the former site of the Sutton Manor Colliery, Jaume Plensa’s artwork symbolizes the future and all that is possible.
