I am on a quest to visit all Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen large scale sculptures. I have only visited 13 so far – out of 40 or so around the world – but plan to pick up seven more before the year’s end. Along the way, I’ve been telling the story of my journey, as well as meeting interesting people and old friends at the sculpture. I am not an art critic; just a fan, and will henceforth relay my opinions regarding the sculptures, including digressions into other art forms.
As a high school English teacher in Southern California, a former Minneapolis music critic, a current musician, a taco enthusiast, tennis coach, chair aficionado, college basketball devotee and book lover, my digressions veer wildly. Also, my wife and I having been taking Fifty 18-year-olds to Europe in the month of June for the last 16 years. This has allowed me to see sculptures in Europe I would not otherwise have been able to see.
Claes is 90 years old – as of July, 2019 – and the last great 1960s Pop Art artist alive. Coosje, his wife/collaborator, died in 2009. Their sculptures are not only fun, witty, wacky, colorful blow ups, but serious post-modern critiques and commentary on living.
Come along for the ride.
The Literary Vagabond
mjhoeger@me.com
Claes, Coosje and Me 
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