Pollock is…Crouching in My Pants” : Claes Oldenburg’s Ray Gun as Feminist Critique of the Abstract Expressionist Ego

The “seminal” piece of Claes Oldenburg’s Ray Gun art is Empire (Papa) Ray Gun (1959), a paper maché sculpted gun resembling an erect phallus and swollen testicles. After Empire (Papa) Ray Gun, Oldenburg defined Ray Gun art as anything with a right angle—a form representing the angle at which a handgun’s barrel and handle meet and/or where the erect penis and hanging testicles meet. The forms and tenants of Ray Gun continued into Oldenburg’s later installations, performances, and soft and monumental sculptures.

U-M Softball Team, 1987

Front Row: Pam Wright, Mary Ann Daviera, Lynn Vismara, Nan Payne, Martha Rogers, Lisa Juzysta, April Bagley, Beth Mueller, Kim Funk

Back row: head coach Carol Hutchins, Mari Foster, Bridget Venturi, Vicki Morrow, Sarah Dyksterhouse, Michelle Bolster, Julie Clark, Jennifer Allard, Alicia Seegert, Assistant Coach Maria Resendez, Manager Jean Waters

U-M Softball Team, 1989

Back Row: Head Coach Carol Hutchins, Karen Katcavage, Heather Lyke, Bridget Fitzpatrick, Sara Dyksterhouse, Andrea Nelson, Jenny Allard, Mary Ann Daviera, Nan Payne, Assistant coach Carol Bruggeman

Front Row: Julie Cooper, Julie Foster, Stacey Heams, Kelly O'Connor, Beth Mueller, Shelly Bawol, Bonnie Tholl, Maria Heck.

University of Michigan Field Hockey Team, 1990

Back Row: Kalli Hose, Lynn Mittler, Hilary Hughes, Sandi Marotti, Keely Libby, Katie Thomas, Lelli Hose

Middle Row: assistant coach Meri Dembrow, Kristin Shaiper, Jennifer DiMascio, Shay Perry, Katie Allison, Katherine Epler, Katie Vignevic, head coach Patti Smith

Front Row: trainer J Peters, Josee, Charvet, Patricia Maran, Natasha Bach, Mary Peters, Mary Beth Bird,

University of Michigan Field Hockey Team, 1991

Front Row: Nancy Irvine, Katie Epler, Katie Vignevic, co-captain Kristin Shaiper, co-captain Katie Thomas, co-captain Sandie Marotti, Katie Allison, Shay Perry.

Back Row: assistant coach Meri Dembrow, athletic trainer Hank Handel, Jennifer DiMascio, Kalli Hose, Chrissie Johnson, Stacy Daly. Nicole Hoover, Keely Libby, Mary Beth Bird, Lelli Hose, Jenny Ridgely, head coach Patti Smith.