Photos By Gail

Giant Soft Fan (1966 – 67) by Claes Oldenburg is an iconic piece of Pop Art that reflects the artist’s fascination with transforming everyday objects into playful, large-scale sculptures. This piece is part of his broader exploration of soft sculptures, a form he pioneered in the 1960s.

The sculpture is a soft, oversized version of an electric oscillating fan, which  Oldenburg created from materials like vinyl, canvas, and stuffing to achieve a sagging, exaggerated appearance. Its soft, floppy form contrasts with the rigid, functional nature of the original object, subverting expectations about industrial design. Like many of Oldenburg’s works, the fan is monumental, creating a sense of awe and humor by making an everyday object feel larger-than-life.

Oldenburg often drew inspiration from his surroundings, translating the physical and emotional textures of life into his art, and the soft fan fits into his series of soft sculptures, which include typewriters, bathtubs, and hamburgers. However, this particular sculpture was  deeply influenced by the sensory experiences of summer in New York City, specifically the oppressive heat and its impact on both people and the urban environment.

If you’ve experienced those sticky NYC summers yourself,  they can certainly make a giant, droopy fan feel relatable!

Photographed in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC