The Real Story Behind One of Minnesota’s Quirkiest Attractions

Have you ever wondered what the story is behind one of Minnesota's quirkiest and most iconic pieces of public art which calls the Land of 10,000 Lakes home?

It's an oversized creation that’s captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

With a playful design and a surprising backstory, this iconic piece of art has become a must-see in Minneapolis.

What's the Story Behind the Giant Spoon and Cherry in Minneapolis?

It's officially called the Spoonbridge and Cherry-- a massive spoon balancing a shiny, plump cherry right in the middle of a lush garden, but why?

This giant sculpture was brought to life in 1988 by the brilliant Swedish artist duo, Claes Oldenburg and his wife, Coosje van Bruggen.

Together, they turned an everyday utensil into something fantastical, something that has since become the beating heart of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Oldenburg wasn’t just your average artist—he had a thing for creating giant versions of everyday objects and also someone who doodled spoons obsessively since 1962. So, when it came time to dream up something for Minneapolis, the spoon was his go-to.

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Walker Art Center says the artists "compared the spoon’s raised bowl to the prow of a Viking ship or a duck bobbing in a lake."

It was van Bruggen who truly put the cherry on top—literally! She wanted the cherry to be a cheeky contrast to the otherwise orderly garden layout.

Spoonbridge and Cherry, the very first work commissioned by the Walker Art Center for the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, was inspired by a novelty spoon resting on a pool of fake chocolate Oldenburg had found years prior.

Oldenburg and van Bruggen were married creating amazing art for 32 years before van Bruggen died at the age of 66 in 2009 after a long battle with breast cancer. Oldenburg passed away in 2022 after a fall at his home. He was 93 years old.

How Big is the Spoonbridge Cherry Sculpture in Minneapolis?

The sheer size of this sculpture will blow your mind. The spoon itself tips the scales at 5,800 pounds, and the cherry? A cool 1,200 pounds.

But this isn’t just art to look at—it’s interactive.

The cherry stem doubles as a fountain, spraying water into the spoon and creating a mist when the wind picks up.

Even the pond below isn’t just any pond; it’s shaped like a linden seed, a nod to the nearby linden trees. How’s that for attention to detail?

The Spoonbridge and Cherry is more than just a quirky landmark; it’s a symbol of Minneapolis itself.

When vandals targeted it in 2012 during a "Kony 2012" protest, the outcry was massive. Minnesotans rallied behind the beloved spoon and cherry, ensuring it was restored to its gleaming glory in no time.

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Spoonbridge and Cherry Sculpture Captures Hearts Nationwide

Around 600,000 people flock to see it each year. It’s been repainted, cleaned, and cherished over its 35-plus years, and visitors from all over seem to find something special in it.

There really is nothing quite like seeing a spoon and cherry on such a grand scale.

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So next time you’re wandering through Minneapolis, stop at the sculpture garden and take in this monumental piece of whimsy. Snap a pic, feel the mist on your face, and remember—you’re standing before a true Minnesota masterpiece.

The Twin Cities PBS video from 1992 below shows Oldenburg explaining more about the iconic spoon and cherry sculpture: