Claes Oldenburg & Holly Hendry

Claus Oldenburg

Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen: Exhibitions & Projects: Inverted  Collar and Tie

Designed by Claes Olenburg and Coosje van Brugeen in 1994, the Inverted Collar and Tie is located in Frankfurt, Germany in front of the Westend Tower. It was commissioned by the  Deutsche Genossenschaftsbank in 1993, installed June 14-15 1994 and inaugurated June 21 1994. Standing at 39 ft. x 27 ft. 9 in. x 12 ft. 8 in. (11.9 x 8.5 x 3.9 m) the tie and collar is made from steel, polymer concreate, fiber reinforced plastic and painted with polyester gelcoat. The sculpture weighs 7.5 tonnes but seems to have a softness that gives the image of fluttering in the wind.

“If I didn’t think what I was doing had something to do with enlarging the boundaries of art, I wouldn’t go on doing it.”

Claes Olenburg

The contrast between the fluidity of the statue and the stiffness of the materials captures the feeling of taking of a tie at the end of the workday with the feeling of the next work day looming around the corner. The size of the sculpture is a defining trait of Olenburg’s work – Olenburg is has gone on to create many everyday objects with amplified proportions and placing the outdoors. An example of this is when Olenburg made a large scale ice bag and place it in multiple locations across the United States.

Oldenburg , Claes | Ice bag - scale B

Holly Hendry

Holly Hendry, Cold and Callous, 2021
Cold and Callous – https://www.stephenfriedman.com/artists/58-holly-hendry/works/18247-holly-hendry-cold-and-callous-2021/

Holly Hendry born 1990, is a British Artist who mostly focuses on aspects of the human body. The sculpture Cold and Callous (2021) features two feet with highly detailed and realistic toes compared to a smooth upper part of the foot. The baby blue colour relates back to the title representing the colour body parts will turn when cold – the colour choice also has a darker overtone possibly relating to death. The piece was created using Jesmonite, pigment and wood and is 75 x 68.5 x 21.5cm.

It was very interesting to look at Henry’s work after studying Olenburg’s as they both approach objects we take for guaranteed or don’t usually think about on a day to day basis and makes it into a statement piece. For example Olenburg scales up day to day objects and often switches the material to be opposite of the original object. Where as Henry takes objects that are often seen to be gory and unpleasant to think about and puts and illustrative spin on them. I personally preferred the look of Henry’s work as it appealed more to my aesthetic. It was also interesting to look at two artists who were working at different times but seeing the similarity they both share.

Author: Daizi Davies

My name is Daizi Davies and I am 19 years old from Cardiff. I like to draw inspiration for my art from my personal life and the challenges I face day to day. I like to experiment with many different mediums but the common link that all my work has is that it is highly autobiographical. My main aim with anything I create is to tell a story and make whoever is viewing it feel something. I am currently studying Fine Art at DeMontford University and I hope to grow as an artist as well as learn new things that will help me in my future as an artist.

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