Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art lawn in Kansas City to see a whimsical and record-setting public art installation: the World’s Largest Shuttlecock Sculptures. Created by renowned artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, these oversized badminton birdies have become some of the city’s most iconic outdoor sculptures.
Installed in 1994, the installation features four giant shuttlecock sculptures, each standing about 18–19 feet tall and measuring up to 16 feet in diameter roughly 546 times the size of a standard shuttlecock. Cast from fiberglass and aluminum, these playful “birdies” are strategically scattered across the museum’s sprawling sculpture park, creating the illusion of a giant game of badminton played by mythical giants, with the museum building itself serving as the “net.”
Originally commissioned with funds from local philanthropists, the shuttlecocks sparked debate among residents and critics over their unconventional design. Despite early controversy, the sculptures have since been embraced as beloved landmarks and highlights of Kansas City’s public art scene.
Today, the World’s Largest Shuttlecock Sculptures draw visitors year-round, offering memorable photo opportunities and sparking conversations about the playful intersection of sport, sculpture, and community engagement in public spaces.
