Window Dressing
The objective:
To introduce students to Oldenburg’s creative process by making everyday
objects and collaborating with others to install a shop window.
Approximate Time:
2 full class periods
Grade Level:
Elementary
Setting the Scene:
In the early 60’s, Claes Oldenburg rented a store front, which was located next
to a NYC deli, and called it “The Store.” Sketchbook in hand, he roamed the
neighborhood, observing items displayed in bakery and grocery windows. Oldenburg developed a new
approach to painting and sculpture with this subject matter. The artist kept
his studio open
to the public,
and, on a rare
occasion,
would sell an
artwork to a
daring
customer.
Imagine the
surprise in
seeing brightly
painted plaster
sculptures
instead of commodities in a traditional store.
To give you a feel for this uncanny experience,
look at some of the sculptures from the period. Note that this display is part of a museum show and different
from the ambience of a working studio space.
From the exhibition Claes Oldenburg: The Sixties.
The Activity:
Warm-up:
The overarching theme of this activity is art in everyday life. In the spirit of Oldenburg, participants do an
online search of store fronts in the community and at the mall. Some suggestions include:
 A food store, shoe store, hobby store, plant store, book store, clothing store, music store, art store,
hat store, appliance store, toy store, candy store, and fabric store.
The teacher may compile these images ahead of time, upload them to a computer or i-Pad, and present them
to the class. Students can pick out their favorite store front windows and discuss why they’re eye catching.
The Project:
Each student will create a 3-D object and customized signage. As a team, they’ll collaborate on setting up a
shop window display of the group’s artwork. In preparation for this object making, students delve into recent
photos of stores in their community. Viewing a picture of items in a shop window may help some students
sketch them. If necessary, magazines could be used for visualizing additional objects. Modeling their 3-D
objects on their drawings, they plan for a variety of items and sizes to heighten the impact of their collective
display. Claes Oldenburg made many sketches of objects he later developed into
sculptures. Three Hats, pictured at left, is a good example of Oldenburg’s creative
process. Notice how he has imagined the hat from three different angles. This strategy
will assist with realizing a form in three dimensions.
It may help to read this quote to the students to encourage them to trust their creative
impulses.
“I’m for an art that has the starting point of zero.” Claes Oldenburg
Object-making:
Window Dressing student installation Walker Art Center
Materials: white and colored paper, pencils, oil pastels, string, newspapers, wire, cardboard, and colored
masking tape.
Twist, fold, cut, wrap, and form newspaper into the 3-D objects. Secure the forms with tape, wire, or string.
Add color with oil pastels or colored paper. When building a sculpture, it’s recommended that it is constantly
turned around to ensure that it’s interesting from all 6 sides.
Next, use language to create a sign for the shop. One person can invent the shop name and logo. Another
person can write up a sign advertising “Specials” and so on.
Finally, the team plans the installation of all of their art objects and signage for a window display. Different
levels of shelves, floor and wall spaces are all considered for installation purposes. Invite each group up to
present their installation and describe what makes it unique.
Tips:
If i-Pads are available, they may be used for research/brainstorming things found in particular stores.
Closure:
After the student teams have presented their work, the following questions could provoke further discussion.
 What was your starting point or “zero?”



Imagine a performance taking place in the store: what would happen?
If something in the window could be turned into a larger than life sculpture, which one would it be?
Where would you site this giant object? (Downtown, in a park, next to a lake, or at the Mall?)
Three-Way Plug ̶ Scale A, Soft, Brown
Claes Oldenburg,
Collection Walker Art Center