Typewriter Eraser, Scale X

model 1998, fabricated 1999

Coosje van Bruggen

Sculptor, American, born Holland, 1942 - 2009

Claes Oldenburg

Sculptor, American, born Sweden, 1929 - 2022

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We might be puzzled about the purpose of this monumental sculpture until we read its title. Before the invention of the delete key on the computer keyboard, the humble typewriter eraser allowed people to rub out mistakes on typing paper. The end with the pink wheel erased the error; the blue brush swept away the eraser “crumbs.” Claes Oldenburg was intrigued by this item from his childhood. He and Coosje van Bruggen recreated the eraser at enormous scale, giving it a windswept motion to ensure it would not be forgotten.

Sculpture Garden, Northwest Quadrant
On View

Sculpture Garden, Northwest Quadrant

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    painted stainless steel and fiberglass

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

  • Dimensions

    overall: 602.6 x 387.4 x 345.4 cm (237 1/4 x 152 1/2 x 136 in.)
    overall (diameter of round part of eraser): 276.9 cm (109 in.)
    gross weight (4545 kg estimated): 10000.000 lb

  • Accession

    1998.150.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Fabricated for NGA through (PaceWildenstein, New York); purchased 16 March 1998 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2013

  • Cigola, Francesca. Art Parks: A Tour of America’s Sculpture Parks and Gardens. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2013: 101.

Inscriptions

on the front side of the below-grade mounting structure:
CO. Cos / TYPEWRITER ERASER / SCALE X 2/3 / 1999

Wikidata ID

Q63861694

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