You see it on every postcard. It’s on the local news backdrop, in every "Welcome to the Twin Cities" montage, and definitely on your Instagram feed if you’ve spent more than twenty minutes in the Lowry Hill neighborhood. I’m talking about Spoonbridge and Cherry, that massive, playful, and slightly absurd sculpture that has basically become the unofficial logo of Minneapolis.
Most people just call it "the cherry and the spoon."
It sits there in the Walker Art Center’s Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, reflecting the skyline in its polished bowl, looking like a giant left his dessert behind. But there is a lot more to this piece than just a photo op. It’s a feat of engineering, a landmark of Pop Art, and honestly, a bit of a miracle that it even exists in its current form. If you’ve ever wondered why a giant utensil is the pride of a Midwestern city, you aren’t alone.
The Story Behind the Spoonbridge and Cherry
The sculpture wasn't just a random city commission. It was the brainchild of Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. This husband-and-wife duo was famous for taking everyday, mundane objects—clothespins, matches, binoculars—and blowing them up to gargantuan proportions. They wanted to disrupt the way we look at the world by changing the scale of the things we take for granted.
When the Walker Art Center commissioned a centerpiece for its new sculpture garden in the mid-1980s, Oldenburg already had a spoon in mind. He’d been sketching spoons since the 60s, inspired by a novelty item he’d seen that sat on a glob of fake chocolate. But the spoon alone felt a bit... lonely.
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That’s where Coosje van Bruggen stepped in.
She suggested the cherry. She wanted to add a sense of geometry and a pop of color to the silver curves of the spoon. But it wasn't just about the look; it was about the fountain. The stem of the cherry actually acts as a sprayer, keeping the fruit looking "washed" and fresh while misting the water into the spoon’s bowl and down into the pond below. It’s functional art. It was installed in 1988, and Minneapolis hasn't been the same since.
Why Minneapolis?
It’s a fair question. Why did one of the most famous pieces of modern art end up in Minnesota?
The answer lies in the Walker Art Center. The Walker isn't just a local museum; it’s a global powerhouse for contemporary art. When they decided to partner with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to create a sprawling 11-acre sculpture garden, they knew they needed a "hook." They needed something that was sophisticated enough for art critics but accessible enough for a family on a Sunday stroll.
Spoonbridge and Cherry hit that sweet spot.
It’s whimsical. It’s massive. It weighs about 7,000 pounds. The spoon itself was fabricated at shipyards in New England because, frankly, who else knows how to weld stainless steel on that scale? The cherry was made in a separate shop in California using aluminum and a very specific grade of red polyurethane paint.
The Maintenance Nightmare (And Why We Love It)
Here is a fun fact: the cherry is actually a giant, hollow ball of metal that has to be repainted way more often than you’d think. The Minnesota winters are brutal. We’re talking 30 below zero. Then, in the summer, the sun beats down on that red surface. The expansion and contraction of the metal causes the paint to crack and fade.
In 2022, the cherry actually took a little vacation.
It was removed and shipped off to New York for a total "spa day"—basically a high-end grit blasting and repainting process. They use a specific shade of red that has to be just right. If it’s too dark, it looks bruised. If it’s too bright, it looks like a toy. It’s a delicate balance. The city felt empty without it. People actually mourned the empty spoon. That tells you everything you need to know about how much this piece means to the local identity.
Visiting the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
If you’re heading there, don’t just run to the spoon, snap a selfie, and leave. You’re doing it wrong.
The garden is free. That’s the best part. You can walk in off the street, no tickets required. It’s open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Seeing the Spoonbridge and Cherry at night is a completely different vibe than seeing it at noon. At night, the city lights hit the water, and the silver of the spoon glows.
- Pro Tip: Park in the underground ramp at the Walker or find street parking on Kenwood Parkway.
- The Best Angle: Stand on the north side of the pond so the Basilica of Saint Mary is in the background. It creates this weird, beautiful contrast between the old-world architecture and the hyper-modern sculpture.
- Don't Touch: I know it's tempting. But there are sensors and security. Plus, the oils from your hands actually degrade the finish over time.
The garden also houses over 40 other works. You’ve got the giant blue rooster (Hahn/Cock) by Katharina Fritsch, which is basically the cherry’s sassy cousin. There’s the Sol LeWitt structures that look like giant white cages. It’s an outdoor classroom for anyone who thinks modern art is "just weird."
The Impact on Local Culture
There is something inherently "Minnesota" about the Spoonbridge and Cherry. It’s humble but grand. It’s a spoon, for heaven’s sake. It represents food, gathering, and the simplicity of life, but it’s presented with world-class technical skill.
It has survived vandalism, extreme weather, and millions of tourists. It’s been featured in movies and TV shows. When the Minnesota Twins want to show "the city," they show the spoon. When a local band releases an album, there’s a good chance the spoon is mentioned in the lyrics or pictured in the liner notes.
It’s also a symbol of how Minneapolis views public space. We have one of the best park systems in the United States. We believe that art shouldn't be tucked away in a dusty basement or behind a $30 paywall. It should be outside, where the kids can run around it and the snow can bury it.
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Common Misconceptions
People often think the spoon is made of solid silver. It’s not. It’s stainless steel. If it were silver, it would tarnish in a week and someone would probably try to melt it down.
Another one: people think the cherry is a real giant ball. It’s actually a two-piece aluminum shell.
And finally, some folks think the "bridge" part of the name is metaphorical. It’s not. The spoon is literally a bridge. The base of the spoon sits on a small island in the pond, and the handle connects to the shore. You can’t walk on it, obviously, but structurally, it functions as a bridge.
What to Do After Your Visit
Once you've finished paying your respects to the cherry, you’re in a prime spot. The Walker Art Center itself is right there. It has a rooftop terrace with some of the best views of the city.
If you're hungry (and the giant spoon usually makes people hungry), walk a few blocks over to Eat Street (Nicollet Ave). You can get everything from authentic Vietnamese pho to high-end Caribbean food. Or, if you want to keep the "park" vibe going, head over to Loring Park, which is connected to the sculpture garden by the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge—a yellow pedestrian bridge that is a work of art in its own right.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your visit to the Spoonbridge and Cherry, follow these specific steps:
- Check the Fountain Schedule: The water usually runs from spring through mid-autumn. If you go in the dead of winter, the pond will be frozen and the fountain will be off. It’s still cool, but you miss the "mist" effect.
- Visit During the "Golden Hour": The hour before sunset provides the best lighting for the stainless steel surface. It turns the silver into a warm gold.
- Bring a Wide-Angle Lens: If you’re a photographer, you’ll need it. The sculpture is 52 feet long. To get the whole thing plus the skyline, you need some width.
- Explore the "Hidden" Paths: Don't just stay on the main paved loop. Some of the best smaller sculptures are tucked away in the wooded areas on the west side of the garden.
- Use the Walker’s Digital Guide: They often have QR codes near the pieces that give you audio bites from the artists or curators. It’s like having a free tour guide in your pocket.
Seeing the Spoonbridge and Cherry is a rite of passage for anyone visiting the North. It’s a reminder that art doesn't have to be serious to be important. It can be a giant spoon in a park, making people smile for thirty-five years. Just make sure you bring a jacket; that wind off the pond can be chilly even in July.