Crusoe Umbrella Repainted

May 6, 2015  |   Feature
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Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s 1979 monumental sculpture is one of the artists first public art projects. The work of art was commissioned in 1978 by the Des Moines Performing Arts (then called, Civic Center of Greater Des Moines), with a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and donations from local sources. It was installed and inaugurated in late November 1979.

The sculpture stands on the plaza, much like an island in the city surroundings with a large pool of water--redesigned to be a wadding pool--along one side. The umbrella form was inspired by the legendary fictional hero Robinson Crusoe, who s hand-made umbrella was the first object made by the castaway and one of the few he took away with him when he was rescued.
The sculpture stands on the plaza, much like an island in the city surroundings with a large pool of water–redesigned to be a wadding pool–along one side. The umbrella form was inspired by the legendary fictional hero Robinson Crusoe, who s hand-made umbrella was the first object made by the castaway and one of the few he took away with him when he was rescued.

Today the umbrella is being prepared for repainting, as the newly redesigned plaza, Cowles Commons officially opens this (2015) summer.

Oldenburg & van Bruggen's "Crusoe Umbrella" primed for repainting.
Oldenburg & van Bruggen’s “Crusoe Umbrella” primed for repainting.