Lipstick on Caterpillar Tracks, Pop art sculpture at Morse College, Yale University, United States.
Lipstick on Caterpillar Tracks is a pop art sculpture in the Morse College courtyard at Yale University, consisting of an oversized red lipstick mounted on military tank treads. The work combines synthetic resin, enamel paint, and polyurethane with weathering steel and aluminum, creating an imposing presence in the center of the courtyard.
Claes Oldenburg created this work in 1969, when it first served as a gathering place for anti-war demonstrations on campus. It was moved to the Morse College courtyard in 1974, where it has remained since.
The sculpture arrived at the same moment Yale University began admitting female students, becoming a symbol of women's presence on campus. Today it stands as a visual marker of that transformation, shaping how visitors experience the college courtyard.
The sculpture sits in the central courtyard of Morse College on the Yale University campus, which is generally open to visitors walking through. The space is outdoors and viewable in all weather, though crowds vary depending on the academic calendar and time of day.
The original version had an inflatable lipstick section with wooden treads that deteriorated from weather exposure and required replacement. This adaptation reveals how pop art works in outdoor settings face practical challenges and evolve over time.
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