Philadelphia, PA
- Across the street from Philadelphia City Hall, a 45-foot steel clothespin stands as an icon for the city. Developer Jack Wolgin commissioned the sculpture as part of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority's Percent for Art program. The Percent for Art program requires developers to allocate one percent of new construction costs to art. It has become a widely accepted practice in many U.S. cities.
The Clothespin Has Been An Iconic Landmark Of The City
Clothespin was installed as part of an $80 million Centre Square project, which included two high-rise office towers and an atrium adjacent to the subway entrance. It was a project that was conceived to transcend traditional boundaries. The Clothespin is a steel sculpture designed to look like a vast black clothespin. It stands on a raised podium above the sidewalk level at Fifteenth and Market Streets in Center City, Philadelphia.
The sculpture is made of Cor-Ten steel, which turns a warm reddish brown when weathered. It is painted with streaks that mimic the natural wood grain of a clothespin. The painted streaks change appearance with the sun's movement. It is meant to symbolize Philadelphia as the birthplace of American democracy.
The Clothespin has been an iconic landmark of the city for decades. Art critics praised its soaring silhouette. It has been a popular destination for tourists.
The Clothespin was a commissioned work of art by Swedish-born American sculptor Claes Oldenburg. It is a 45-foot tall, weathering steel sculpture commissioned to commemorate Philadelphia's bicentennial. It is installed at Centre Square, 1500 Market Street, in Philadelphia.
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