A gleaming, larger-than-life spoon holds a bright red cherry aloft, its stem arching gracefully and spraying mist—a playful fountain and modern icon embraced by locals and visitors alike. Commissioned in the mid-1980s and installed in 1988, this Pop‑Art masterpiece by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen transformed the Sculpture Garden and helped define modern Minneapolis.
The sculpture was funded by Frederick R. Weisman and became the first commissioned work for the Walker Art Center’s garden. Since then, Spoonbridge and Cherry has become synonymous with public whimsy and civic pride across Minnesota.
Key Highlights
Spoonbridge and Cherry stands over a pond shaped like a linden tree seed, surrounded by a wet meadow of iris and reeds. Water sprays both from the cherry’s stem and its base, creating a shimmering fountain that responds to shifting breezes and changing light.
At approximately 30 ft high, 52 ft long, and 13 ft wide, the sculpture commands attention in its setting. Its gleaming stainless steel and aluminum surface is covered in glossy enamel, making it highly photogenic, especially when the cherry is newly painted.
Visitors delight in echoing the scale with their own shadow plays, jump photos, or slow walks along the mirrored pond edge. On warmer days, passing mist adds a sensory element that is both cooling and enchanting.
History buffs appreciate the concept’s roots: Oldenburg’s doodles of spoons over decades, paired with van Bruggen’s imaginative choice to “top it off” with a cherry, merge personal and formal creativity in a public moment.
Because it functions as a fountain, it symbolically links to Minnesota’s identity as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. That continuity between daily life, water, and public art is central to its charm.
Atmosphere & Décor
Nestled within the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Spoonbridge and Cherry occupies one of over 45 installations scattered across manicured lawns and wooded areas. The scale of surrounding sculptures feels personal; yet this spoon—and cherry—tower as the centerpiece.
The surrounding wet meadow planting softens the transition between art and nature, reinforcing a sense of place. The pond’s subtle shape and plant edging complement the dramatic shape of the spoon and cherry, cleverly tying built and natural elements together.
Open skies and unobstructed sightlines ensure this work feels expansive without overwhelming the human scale. Whether midday or at dusk, the reflective surfaces retain visual energy even in winter.
Other Considerations
So how’s the price? Free to visit as part of the Sculpture Garden. Entry costs nothing—just stroll in and enjoy.
How busy does it get? Often busy but rarely crowded. The sculpture draws the largest crowd in the garden, but its open lawns and spacious design prevent bottlenecks.
Parking & access: Bike, walk, or drive—Sculpture Garden parking is nearby and paths are paved. The garden is entirely wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Hidden gems? Notice the cherry weight—about 1,200 lbs—and the spoon weighs nearly 5,800 lbs. Every decade or so, the cherry is removed for repainting due to wear from weather exposure. The clever linden-seed-shaped pond adds another layer of meaning for those who look closely.
Spoonbridge and Cherry
📍 Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis, MN
📍 walkerart.org/collections/artworks/spoonbridge-and-cherry
