Giant Broom and Dustpan

I go to this library all the time. And this art always stumps me what does it mean. We are cleaning up the city? Our city is already clean? We own cleaning supplies? And we know how to use them?
Not the best Denver has to offer in Art but hey to each their own.

Yeah for public art that isn’t a devli horse or a saggy boob electric penis!
This is just whisy and fun and makes me smile when i pass by!

This whimsical sculpture (officially named «Big Sweep») makes me smile every time I see it. I love the bright colors. I love the movement of the broom and the wads of paper tangled in its bristles. I love the tilted angle of the dustpan in relation to the sharp angle of the corner of the museum. I love that it makes a fun photo op. Well… I guess I just love everything about it!

I love Denver art!
The DAM is always making me see the world differently and this sculpture is no different. It’s big and fun and colorful and brings out the kid in you!
It’s almost irresistible as a backdrop for a fun photo op too!
I realized that after observing it numerous times I see something different each time… give it a critical eye and see what inspires you!

Well, MAYBE it was inspired by «the way the wind meets the mountains,» but my far-​less-​poetic assessment is that it’s more akin to «the way the front-​range winds whip in ahead of a cold front and shuttle every stray bit of trash in my neighborhood up into my driveway and onto my front porch.» That is to say, it’s PERFECT for Denver.
I love me some Claes Oldenburg. In fact, I wrote my senior thesis on several pieces of public art he’s done in Philadelphia, which is where I got my Colledge Ejucatin’ on. Back in Philly we boasted a Giant Button and a Giant Clothespin. I miss those Giant Things-You’d-Find-In-Your-Junk-Drawer. Thankfully, I need pine away no more. Giant Broom and Dustpan, you’ve filled the void!

Inspired by «the way the wind meets the mountains», according to the sculptors, Coosje Van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg. The colors were evoked from «a duck I saw in a Tokyo park,» according to Van Bruggen. You could tell me it’s a tribute to under paid janitors everywhere and I’d still like it. I like the whimsy of it. It’s playful and people want to go up and touch it, play on it, and be photographed in front of it. It’s a work of art we Denverites can be proud to say we have.
It’s located outside the newest addition to the Denver Art Museum. It’s a fun divergence to the sharp angles and deep crevases of the DAM erection.