Yale University has announced the relocation of Claes Oldenburg's iconic 1969 sculpture "Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks" from its public courtyard location to the Yale University Art Gallery following a recent vandalism incident. The 24-foot-tall steel sculpture, which has been a beloved landmark at the Ivy League institution for decades, was discovered with unauthorized markings in October, prompting university officials to remove the artwork for conservation and protection.
According to reports from the Yale Daily News, the university's student-run newspaper, officials discovered the letters "ATB" written on the base of the distinctive sculpture, which features a tall lipstick form mounted on top of tractor treads. The markings appear to be connected to the Bakers Dozen, a Yale a cappella group, as the letters "ATB" have appeared in social media posts associated with the musical ensemble.
Catherine Panter-Brick, head of Morse College where the sculpture was displayed, explained the severity of the vandalism to the Yale Daily News. "Overnight, the underside of the sculpture was defaced by people who etched their group initials into the metal," she stated. "As a result, the Yale University Art Gallery will be removing the Lipstick from the Morse courtyard for conservation and care." The sculpture had recently been reinstalled after undergoing several months of restoration work.
The artwork holds tremendous significance both artistically and historically at Yale University. Created by Oldenburg, who is himself a Yale alumnus, the sculpture was originally installed in 1969 as a surprise installation in Beinecke Plaza. Working in secrecy, Oldenburg assembled a team to mount the work without prior announcement, creating an immediate sensation on campus. The sculpture quickly became a gathering point and platform for anti-Vietnam War protesters, serving as a powerful symbol during a turbulent period in American history.
Stuart Wrede, an alumnus of Yale's architecture program who worked closely with Oldenburg during the original installation, reflected on the sculpture's cultural impact in a 2022 interview. "For many it symbolized the crashing down of the gates of Yale's male bastion as women entered the college for the first time in the fall semester of 1969," Wrede explained. "The still-fledgling gay movement also appropriated it as a symbol for its struggle. From our point of view, Oldenberg had hit the nail on its head."
This is not the first time the sculpture has faced removal from its outdoor location. The original version featured an inflatable vinyl lipstick portion, consistent with Oldenburg's other soft sculptures that are now considered icons of the Pop art movement. However, the vinyl material proved unable to withstand outdoor weather conditions, and the sculpture also suffered from graffiti vandalism on its treads during its early years. These issues led to the university's decision to remove the work, which was subsequently acquired by the Yale University Art Gallery collection in 1974.
Since entering the museum's collection, "Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks" has been on long-term loan to Morse College, where it has been displayed in the courtyard for public viewing. The sculpture is formally owned by the Yale University Art Gallery and is widely regarded as one of the most significant artworks in Yale's extensive collection, despite the university's possession of two well-known museums and a rich array of artistic holdings.
A spokesperson for the Yale University Art Gallery confirmed the relocation plans to the Yale Daily News, stating that "the sculpture is being moved for further conservation offsite this week." However, university officials have not clarified whether this removal will be permanent or if the sculpture will eventually return to its outdoor display location once conservation work is completed. The decision reflects the ongoing challenge of preserving important public artworks while maintaining their accessibility to students and visitors.
