Why does Claes Oldenburg choose the things he does?
1. Everyday Objects: Oldenburg often selects ordinary, everyday objects as the subjects of his artworks. By elevating these objects to the status of art, he encourages viewers to consider the beauty and significance in the overlooked and commonplace.
2. Scale and Size: Oldenburg frequently manipulates the scale of his artworks, either making them much larger or smaller than their real-life counterparts. This distortion of size challenges traditional concepts of scale and proportion and draws attention to the physicality of the objects.
3. Consumer Culture: Oldenburg's work often engages with consumer culture and the mass-produced objects that dominate modern life. He criticizes the values of consumerism and highlights the tension between the desire for individual expression and the overwhelming presence of commercial imagery.
4. Art Historical Context: Oldenburg's art draws inspiration from various art historical movements, including Pop Art, Surrealism, and Dadaism. He incorporates elements of these movements into his work, creating hybrids that challenge artistic conventions and explore the boundaries of art.
5. Playfulness and Humor: Oldenburg's art is often playful and humorous, inviting viewers to engage with his work on a light-hearted level. He uses humor as a way to subvert expectations and provoke thought-provoking discussions about art and its role in society.
6. Social Commentary: While Oldenburg's art may appear lighthearted, it often carries subtle social and political commentary. By presenting familiar objects in unexpected ways, he prompts viewers to critically examine their surroundings and consider the larger cultural and social contexts in which they live.
Overall, Claes Oldenburg's choice of subject matter reflects his interest in challenging conventions, exploring the relationship between art and everyday life, and provoking thought-provoking conversations about the nature and purpose of art.