Oldenburg

Transcript (Download)

I mean it's a, as if you know my work, but I always work in terms of common objects.

You don't work here.

You're as big as I am.

He made a list of goals, things that he desired for American art.

And I thought that it would be appropriate to be reminded of what his earlier ambitions were.

Oldenburg Road.

I am for an art that grows up not knowing it's art at all.

An art given the chance of having started at the point of zero.

I am for an art that imitates the human, that's comic, and that takes its form from life itself.

A little old slugger.

I think he got it from the White Sox because they got holes in their bats too.

They must have.

I am for an art that tells you the time of day where such and such a street is.

And I am for an art that helps little old ladies and demonstrators across the street.

Into the wagon.

Few artists achieve their goals so completely.

And few artists make art that is so close to the everyday lives of all.

Only that which it recognizes, loves, respects.

No, this exists today.

This is the White Forger.

He sets out on that same journey to the uteria.

Seeking the essentials.

Bringing back his account.

The account's different widely.

The return of a familiar.

Daily dread of life.

I am for an art that imitates the human, he wrote.

That is comic if necessary.

Whatever is necessary.

I am for an art that takes its form from the lines of life.

The twists and the extended toss of art.

In the right place, at the right time.

Late in the 19th century without ceremony was launched what has become known as the Chicago School of Architecture.

An original indigenous and organic architecture which has affected the design and construction of office buildings throughout the world.

All around us are the works of the architectural giants of the time.

William LaVar and Jenny, Daniel Burnham.

Have received the same support as the people of Chicago.

Meese Bandero, Harry Weese, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Birdman, Perkins, Goldberg, Perkins & Will, and CF Perkins.

Have all made significant contributions to the environment of the city.

The buildings themselves are art forms of their time and can be classified as art and architecture.

The art forms, within some, have been made included the sculptor, the painter, and the weaver to form a totality of design.

On Dearborn Street starting with the City -County -Band, the history of civilizations through their surviving artworks we judge the achievements of their culture.

Ours, especially in the 20th century, has produced a wide diversity of expression in its art forms.

The ISPSA has commissioned, where it's recently constructed, a project that has been created in the culture of the early and late 20th century.

They represent a period in time in our society of painting, literature, and design of a company that didn't exist before.

It adds to our experience.

Art and architecture give the human dimension.

The visual interest today is streamlined.

The positive vision is building.

This is what the Batcom does here.

We're very pleased to have been a part of this project and to have permission to...

Identifier

F.2005-08-0125

Date Of Production

April 14 1977

Abstract

Outtakes from Claes Chi Bat.

Claes Oldenburg's "Batcolumn" sculpture is dedicated on April 14, 1977, outside the newly built Social Security Administration Center at 600 West Madison Street in downtown Chicago. The 100-foot tall steel structure was commissioned for $100,000 as part of the General Services Administration's art-in-architecture program, which aimed to place contemporary American art in and around newly constructed federal buildings. Alexander Calder's "Flamingo" outside the Federal Building at 230 South Dearborn Street was the first sculpture erected in Chicago as part of the program.

Description

The beginning of the film features artist Claes Oldenburg at a reception featuring some of his two-dimensional art. Party-goers mingle and chat as Oldenburg participates in conversations with several different people. There is a close-up shot of a sketch of Alexander Calder's "Flamingo" sculpture as well as Oldenburg's "Plug" sculpture. The camera then focuses on a three-piece ball, bat, and glove commemorative set given out as a party favor at the dedication.

The next scene shows the dedication ceremony, held outside the Social Security Administration Center. Speakers and dignitaries in attendance include Second Lady Joan Mondale, interim Chicago Mayor Michael Anthony Bilandic, and Michael Straight, Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. There is a shot of the Batcolumn, and then the camera returns to the speakers assembled at the front of the Social Security Administration Center.

Format

Super 8

Extent

60 feet

Color

Color

Sound

Mag Stripe

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Element

Reversal Positives

Genre

Documentary

Form

Outtakes

Subject

Art
Baseball

Preservation Sponsor

Related Collections

Subseries II: Footage

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago

Main Credits

Stamets, Bill (is filmmaker)

Participants And Performers

Oldenburg, Claes (is participant)

Mondale, Joan (is participant)

Bilandic, Michael Anthony (is participant)

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