Claes Oldenburg's Shuttlecock sculptures, created in collaboration with his wife Coosje van Bruggen, are a whimsical yet monumental addition to the landscape of the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Commissioned in 1994, these playful yet imposing pieces stand as a testament to Oldenburg and van Bruggen's ability to transform ordinary objects into significant cultural icons. The Shuttlecocks consist of four birdies or shuttlecocks, fabricated from aluminum, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, and paint, that seem to have landed on opposite sides of a badminton net, with the museum's neoclassical building serving as the imaginary divider in this enlarged game setting.

Each shuttlecock, standing nearly 18 feet tall and weighing 5,500 pounds, is a striking presence on the museum's lawn. The artists imagined the museum's original neoclassical building and its expansive green lawn as components of a badminton game, adding a playful layer of interaction between the art, its environment, and the viewer. This installation challenges traditional perceptions of art and its setting by inviting viewers to engage with the museum space in a novel and imaginative way.

Oldenburg and van Bruggen's collaboration on this project highlights their shared interest in creating art that bridges the gap between everyday objects and monumental sculpture. The Shuttlecocks, with their bold scale and imaginative placement, serve as a playful invitation to visitors, encouraging a sense of fun and creativity while simultaneously engaging with the surrounding architectural and natural landscape​ (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art)​​ (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art)​.