Geometric Mouse: Scale D (Paper), “Home-made”, 1971
A moveable 3-dimensional object: photo offset on die-cut cardboard, stainless steel, wire hinges and bead chains, plastic shrink-wrap as issued. Unnumbered edition of 3,00. 0First edition. Condition: small tear in shrink-wrap, bottom center; rust spots from bead chains. Published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, CA
19.17 x 16.50 x 0.25in (48.70 x 41.90 x 0.64 cm)
CO002
$ 1,000
Geometric Mouse: Scale D is called “home-made” because it is a white cardboard reproduction (2/3 smaller) of the prototype made in preparation for the fabricated black metal Scale C Mouse. It is imprinted with reproductions of the artist’s notations and signature and it was intended to be an unlimited edition, but it was only produced once in 1971 when only 3,000 were manufactured. Packaged within plastic shrink-wrap to look like a consumer item, the Scale D Mice were meant to circulate with other real commodities and infiltrate society much like real household mice.
Swedish-born American sculptor Claes Oldenburg (1929-2022) is renowned for his innovative and humorous reconstructions of everyday objects in both large-scale public installations and soft materials. Involved with Happenings and Performance art in NYC in the 1950s, in 1961 Oldenburg opened The Store. Recreating the environment of neighborhood shops in his studio, Oldenburg displayed familiar objects made out of plaster. This commentary on American society's celebration of consumption soon heralded Oldenburg as a Pop artist with the emergence of the movement in 1962.
Because my work is naturally non-meaningful, the meaning found in it will remain doubtful and inconsistent—which is the way it should be...All that I care about is that, like any startling piece of nature, it should be capable of stimulating meaning. ______ Claes Oldenburg
