The Spoonbridge and Cherry: Is Good Art?

Posted by Alex in Arts & Crafts, Pictures, Travel & Places on July 16, 2008 at 2:35 am



By Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Photo: Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota is celebrating its 20th anniversary of its Sculpture Garden (with the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture). Most Twin Cities residents are so familiar with the Spoonbridge that they rarely discuss it as art – but is it art?

City Pages blog invited Peter Eleey, a curator at the Walker Art Center, to talk about the giant spoon and cherry: Link


Previous post
this post? Please Email this               
Next post


FUN PRODUCTS FROM THE NEATORAMA SHOP:


COMMENT

15 comments to "The Spoonbridge and Cherry: Is Good Art?"

  1. SenorMysterioso
    July 16th, 2008 at 3:13 am

    We have an Oldenburg piece here outside of the Denver Art Museum, its a giant dustpan and handbroom

  2. davedonelson
    July 16th, 2008 at 3:31 am

    Here's a definition to consider: it's art if viewing it opens your mind; good art if remembering it evokes the feeling again.
    Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds

  3. ted
    July 16th, 2008 at 6:37 am

    If it's a Spoonbridge, where's the water?

  4. Idil
    July 16th, 2008 at 6:43 am

    of course it's art... I hate it though

  5. Adam Stanhope
    July 16th, 2008 at 8:32 am

    Of course it's art!

  6. RM
    July 16th, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Awful art.

  7. Miranda
    July 16th, 2008 at 11:27 am

    Wow, who is to decide what is good or bad art? If I don't like it does that make it bad art? Nope, that makes it something I don't like.. I love the Walker and the spoon bridge. It's a MPLS icon and the water, is under the handle of the spoon.

  8. sparge
    July 16th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    I'd rather take the meat bridge.

  9. Blaze
    July 16th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    There is no spoon.

  10. mcsuede
    July 16th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    One of my all time favorites, I grew up visiting the Walker frequently. One of the pieces that inspired me to go into art history.

  11. Sunny
    July 16th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Well, the spoon isn't practical for dining, and I'm betting that cherry doesn't taste so good, so I'd have to guess that it's art. It certainly isn't a functional object.

  12. Holly
    July 16th, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    Don't forget that water sprays out of the end of the cherry stem!

  13. non-mouse
    July 16th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    "is it art?" is the most boring question anyone can ever ask about an object. The answer is invariably yes.

  14. zachol
    July 17th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

    Of course it's art. It's also stupid. Compared to all the other nifty things at the Walker, I don't understand the appeal.

  15. Chris C
    July 17th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    I see that and think food fight. Question is what is the cherry aimed at? hehe


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT

Neatorama Comment Policy
You don't have to register or login to comment, but it's easier if you do so. Comments aren't censored, but those that are abusive or off-topic may be edited or deleted.


Stay updated on the comments with Comment RSS