Caterpillar Tracks

Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks, Claes Oldenburg (1969)

Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks is a towering sculpture by Swedish-American artist Claes Oldenburg. Completed in 1969, the sculpture consists of a giant tube of bright red lipstick, over 24 feet tall, balanced atop a set of military tank treads.

The sculpture was created in response to the Vietnam War and the student protests that were sweeping across college campuses in the late 1960s. Oldenburg, who was living in New York City at the time, was inspired by the massive protests that were taking place in the city, and he wanted to create a work of art that would capture the spirit of the movement.

The sculpture's title, Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks, is a play on words that suggests both femininity and power. The bright red lipstick is a symbol of feminine beauty and allure, while the tank treads represent the raw power of the military-industrial complex. The combination of the two creates a powerful juxtaposition that speaks to the tensions and contradictions of the era.

Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks was a bold and confrontational work of art that captured the attention of the public and sparked a national conversation about the role of art in society. It was seen as a symbol of protest and resistance, and it helped to galvanize a new generation of artists and activists.