Untitled (City as Alphabet)

1968

Claes Oldenburg

Associated Names
Claes Oldenburg

Artist, American, born Sweden, 1929 - 2022

James Webb

Printer, American, active late 20th century

Richard Wilke

Printer, American, active late 20th century

Gemini G.E.L.

Publisher

This is a drawing of a collage that includes abstract architectural sketches and text elements. The image features colorful sketches and monochrome graphics. The collage includes an abstract architectural drawing with purple and orange scribbles in the top section, likely depicting a modern or futuristic building set against a yellow sky. Below it is a geometric illustration with interconnected 3D letters spelling out “MUSEUM”, and smaller sketches of abstract objects along with handwritten text such as "EL," and "part." Additionally, there is a black and white photographic image of a cityscape with handwritten text reading “city at alphabet.” The arrangement combines elements of architecture, typography, and cityscape imagery in an avant-garde or postmodern style.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    one from a portfolio of 12 lithographs on Rives BFK wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Gemini G.E.L. and the Artist

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 57.6 x 40 cm (22 11/16 x 15 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1981.5.121.10

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Axsom & Platzker 1997, no. 55.10

Associated Artworks

See all 12 artworks
The image features abstract shapes and lines. In the center, a sketch on a yellow notepad shows curving, flowing lines with a brown form near a large circular blue shape. Hand-drawn annotations such as "punch bag" and "set against a hillside" are included. Below the yellow paper, there is a black and white sketch of two overlapping oval shapes, along with another small abstract doodle in the bottom right corner. The composition is taped onto the page with four pieces of tan tape.

Untitled (Punching Bag)

Claes Oldenburg, Dan Gualdoni, Paul Drake, Gemini G.E.L.

1968

Notes

Claes Oldenburg, Robert de la Rocha, Richard Wilke, Gemini G.E.L.

1968

The image features shapes and lines, including a cylindrical object labeled "HALF and HALF" with abstract lines directing to words like "Auditorium" and "Exhibitions." There are swirling red shapes and handwritten words like "giant can key" and "= litho crayon." A sketch of a paperclip is also present in a small rectangle.

Untitled (New Pasadena Museum)

Claes Oldenburg, James Webb, Dan Gualdoni, Gemini G.E.L.

1968

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, California; acquired 1981 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2015

  • The Serial Impulse at Gemini G.E.L., National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California, 2015-2017.

Bibliography

1966

  • Gemini G.E.L. Sequence List. Los Angeles, California: Gemini G.E.L., unpublished, no. 113.

1997

  • Axsom, Richard H., and David Platzker. Printed Stuff: Prints, Posters, and Ephemera by Claes Oldenburg: A Catalogue Raisonné, 1958-1996. New York: Hudson Hills Press, 1997, p. 135, no. 55.10

2011

  • Ritchie, Charles. Gemini G.E.L. Online Catalogue Raisonné. Washington, D.C.: National Gallery of Art, 2011, no. 38.10. http://www.nga.gov/gemini

Inscriptions

lower left in graphite: Gemini III; lower center in graphite: Oldenburg 68; lower center verso in graphite by unknown hand: CO68-186

Markings

embossed lower right: © [Gemini G.E.L.]

Wikidata ID

Q74036252

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