Exhibition

The Secret Lives of Bottle of Notes: Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

14 March - 5 October 2025

Uncover the story of an iconic sculpture that has graced Middlesborough's skyline for over 30 years.

Bottle of Notes is a public sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen that has come to symbolise Tees Valley. Learn about the story behind this iconic sculpture and how public art impacts an area's identity, civic pride and public spaces.

Alongside preparatory sketches, models and documents by Oldenburg and van Bruggen that reveal their creative process, visitors will also encounter new commissions by contemporary artists in response to themes of place and identity.

Get a National Art Pass and explore MIMA, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK

National Art Pass offers available at MIMA, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

20% off in shop

Enjoy 20% off in the shop with your National Art Pass
Expires: 1 Jan 2026

IndividualTiana Clarke Please note this is an example card and not a reflection of the final product

Visitor information

Address

MIMA, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

Centre Square, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS1 2AZ
01642 931232

Free to all

Opening times

Tue – Sat, 10am – 4.30pm (Thu until 7pm) Sun, 12 – 4pm Closed Bank Holidays

Visitor information

IndividualTiana Clarke Please note this is an example card and not a reflection of the final product

The more you see, the more we do.

The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.