Claes Oldenburg's "Geometric Mouse" series, created between 1969 and 1971, showcases the artist's playful yet insightful engagement with popular culture icons and his innovative approach to sculpture. The "Geometric Mouse," particularly in its various incarnations, is emblematic of Oldenburg's fascination with the transformation of everyday objects into monumental works of art, blending the familiar with the unexpected.

Drawing inspiration from the omnipresence of Mickey Mouse in American popular culture, Oldenburg reimagined the iconic character through a minimalist lens. The "Geometric Mouse" distills Mickey's recognizable silhouette into basic geometric forms: a square representing the face, two circular ears, and rectangular windows serving as eyes, with an organic appendage acting as the nose and small tear drops trailing from the eyes, attached to the end of chains. This abstracted version of Mickey Mouse is reflective of Oldenburg's interest in merging high art with popular imagery, challenging traditional distinctions between the two realms​ (Guggenheim Bilbao)​​ (Houston Arts Foundation)​.

Oldenburg's "Geometric Mouse" serves not just as a standalone piece but also as an alter ego for the artist, a personal symbol that he has described with the phrase, "The Mouse, that's me!" This identification with the mouse character underscores Oldenburg's playful interrogation of identity and representation within the art world. Moreover, the "Geometric Mouse" became a foundational element in Oldenburg's conceptualization of an entire museum, hinting at his broader vision for integrating art with life and transforming mundane experiences into moments of artistic revelation​ (Guggenheim Bilbao)​.

Fabricated in painted steel and reaching dimensions of 240 x 180 x 144 inches for the version titled "Geometric Mouse, Scale X," located at the Central Library, Julia Ideson Library Exterior in Houston, Texas, this work exemplifies Oldenburg's commitment to challenging conventional notions of sculpture. By utilizing soft and hard materials, Oldenburg broke away from traditional sculptural forms, inviting viewers to reconsider the role and form of sculpture in contemporary art​ (Houston Arts Foundation)​.

Through the "Geometric Mouse" series, Oldenburg not only pays homage to a ubiquitous symbol of entertainment and joy but also embeds deeper artistic and philosophical inquiries within a seemingly straightforward representation, encapsulating his genius in transforming the everyday into the extraordinary.