The artwork, titled “Cupid’s Span,” is a collaborative sculpture created by Claes Oldenburg along with Coosje van Bruggen in 2002. The piece belongs to the Pop Art movement and exemplifies the genre of sculpture.
The artwork depicts a massive bow and arrow, the arrow with its distinct red feathers pointed downward, seemingly embedded into the ground. Located in an urban setting, the sculpture contrasts the greenery of its surrounding park with the towering buildings of the city skyline. The bow is rendered in a warm orangish hue, creating a striking visual against the blue sky and surrounding structures. The placement of the arrow suggests a whimsical, larger-than-life interpretation of Cupid’s myth, infusing a playful element within the modern landscape. The expansive scale of the piece and its bold, simplistic forms are characteristic of Oldenburg’s style, whilst integrating seamlessly with the public space it inhabits.
