The Story of the World's Largest Shuttlecocks

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In 1994, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art installed four large shuttlecock sculptures across its front and back lawns. The sculptures were created by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, who were commissioned by Kansas City philanthropists Morton and Estelle Sosland.

The artists were given full creative freedom, and their idea took shape after a visit to the museum, where van Bruggen was drawn to a Frederic Remington painting featuring Native American feathered headdresses. This imagery, combined with the building’s symmetry and aerial resemblance to a lawn, inspired the idea of a giant game of badminton, with the neoclassical museum building acting as the net.

Each sculpture stands nearly 18 feet tall, measures 16 feet in diameter, and weighs 5,500 pounds. The materials—fiberglass-reinforced plastic, aluminum, and paint—were chosen for their durability and ability to mimic the delicate appearance of a real shuttlecock. Thirty-six individual feather forms were created from three distinct molds and assembled in Rhode Island by a yacht manufacturer with expertise in weather-resistant construction.

Three of the shuttlecocks were placed on the south side of the museum and one on the north lawn, suggesting a completed rally in a match of badminton. Their angles and positions were carefully selected to avoid the formality and symmetry of the museum building while still maintaining a sense of motion and cohesion. One shuttlecock was even tilted to appear as though it had just landed.

Installation took five days in the summer of 1994. The sculptures were engineered with precision to ensure that their size and weight appeared light and playful while remaining stable and secure in Kansas City’s climate.

When first unveiled, Shuttlecocks sparked controversy. Some community members questioned whether the sculptures qualified as art and criticized their appearance in front of a classical-style museum. Editorials and letters to local newspapers expressed both strong opposition and strong support. Despite the criticism, the museum and its donors moved forward with the installation.

Over time, public perception changed. The shuttlecocks became a well-known feature of the museum grounds and a recognizable symbol of Kansas City. They are now commonly used in promotional materials and have become a popular site for photographs, events, and tourism.

NEW! Shuttlecocks Vintage Poster 🏸 NEW! Celebrate Kansas City's iconic art scene with this vintage-style poster of the Nelson-Atkins Museum, featuring the famous Shuttlecock sculpture in classic WPA-inspired design. Available as a poster or canvas. Just in time to give as a gift for Mother's Day (or any day!) 🏸 Shuttlecocks Vintage Poster [$29]

This Week's Featured Home

4520 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64110
​Built in 1912 · $1,200,000
Listing/Photos Courtesy - Majid Ghavami, ReeceNichols

Realtors: interested in sponsoring this section to 10K+ readers? Just email me at hello@kcyesterday.com!

Thanks for reading Reader! I'm thrilled to add the Shuttlecocks Poster to my Vintage Poster Collection. I hope you'll grab one as well!

What other historic locations would you like to see as a vintage poster? Reply and let me know!

ps: then vs. now of the Beer Castle at 18th & Main (modern day Barkley).