U.S. Clears Art Project by Christo in Colorado

[blueclown]

Source: NY Times

DENVER — Federal regulators on Monday approved a $50 million installation of anchored fabric over the Arkansas River in southern Colorado by the artist Christo, whose larger-than-life vision has divided environmentalists, residents and politicians for years over questions of aesthetics, nature and economic impact.

The project, “Over the River,” will include eight suspended panel segments totaling 5.9 miles along a 42-mile stretch of the river, about three hours southwest of Denver. Construction could begin next year, pending final local approvals, with the goal being a two-week display of the work as early as August 2014.

“Drawing visitors to Colorado to see this work will support jobs in the tourism industry and bring attention to the tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said. “We believe that steps have been taken to mitigate the environmental effects of this one-of-a-kind project.”

Christo, 76, said in an interview that the project had already made history for its interconnection of art and public participation, with a federal environmental impact statement that drew thousands of comments.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/us/United-States-Approves-Christos-Over-the-River-Project-in-Colorado.html?_r=1&hp

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Interesting... I don't know what to think. Look at the mock-up drawings..

[RKP5637]

1. I don't know as if I would make that a destination on a trip just to see it unless

in the area. Somehow I think it looked better as is ...

[pipoman]

2. Colorado ruined the Arkansas River already..

he couldn't do more damage than they have already done..

[DRoseDARs]

3. Well that's kinda the point: Enviros are concerned that he CAN do more damage.

“We are elated,” Christo said. “Every artist in the world likes his or her work to make people think. Imagine how many people were thinking, how many professionals were thinking and writing in preparing that environmental impact statement.”

Yeah, statements like that make me think alright. They make me think, "What an assh*le..." $50 million for what now? Sticks? Dude, seriously, you could have put that money towards art enrichment for millions of school children and had a much larger impact on a far greater number of people. Instead, $50 million is a pretty expensive price to pay to stroke your ego.

[Book Lover]

4. That $50 million does not come from your pocket, and hardly vanishes into thin air!

Giving workers a livelihood for a few years is not too shabby a way to spread the wealth around. You don't have to respect the artistic merit of this project, but $50 million buys a hell of a lot more than "Sticks"!

on edit: What is the point of teaching kids about art (the way you want the money spent) if you don't have any respect for artists once they grow up and want to create things in the first place?

[DRoseDARs]

7. Your strawman aside about what my feelings may or may not be for artists...

Whoopdeedo, a few hundred people get jobs for a few months, vs hundreds of thousands if not millions of kids getting greater exposure to varied art who later grow up inspired to be musicians, artists of various crafts, architects, dancers and so on.

My "sticks" comment was based on the one picture provided in the article. Followed a different link to his project page. Oh boy, it's not sticks... it's more tarps.

[Book Lover]

13. How many pieces of wrong....

A) If you were one of the unemployed, a 14-month job might just be worth a whoopdeedoo, indeed.

B) Not sure how you plan on educating millions of kids with just $50 million. Maybe if we were talking two years of education, tops. In any case, I again stress that it is sort of useless to teach people how to be artists if you don't have a basic respect for the artistic process.

C) And you don't stroke your own ego by doing work you enjoy? I'm just not sure why gaining satisfaction from a project you plan and execute is a character flaw.

[freshwest]

5. Total agreement with you. All clueless. $50M? Pure Egotism. The people be damned.

[phasma ex machina]

6. +1 "put that money towards art enrichment for millions of school children" nt

[Webster Green]

8. I totally disagree.

I love his work. It's beautiful and inspiring. I saw his umbrellas on the I5 in CA years ago. It was great! They still talk about his 'Running Fence' installation that he did here in Sonoma and Marin Counties in the '70s. That was a wonder to behold. He is an amazing artist!

[2banon]

11. I'm with you WebsterGreen. I think what he offers is priceless.

inspiring, beautiful & wonderous. We need more creative people and we need to support it vis a vis praise, appreciation and whatever other manner we're able to as a community.

Our communities are made richer with art and music. Vital for the soul of individuals and communties.

[XemaSab]

17. If he knew the quality of writing that goes into the typical environmental document

he would never call this a triumph for art. :evilgrin:

[2banon]

9. I remember the Fence (fabric) that Christo Built where I lived. that extended into the Pacific.

I riled against him and the project before it was started. Thought what an arrogant ass, and the thought the cost was beyond outrageous to me at the time.

And then after the project was completed, I had a complete change of heart, and perspective. No Puns intended, but certainly apprapo. It was simply wonderous and beautiful, yes surreal too. But it was a very positive creative, beautiful contribution for the entire North Bay community.. Even now, some 38 years after the project was long taken down.

[DRoseDARs]

10. A post like this is more likely to sway me, but only time will tell (Summer'14 is a long way off).nt

[2banon]

12. I really did a 180 in attitude during and after the project was completed.

I was poor (still am for that matter) and I struggled just to make rent every month. I couldn't for the life of me get why something like that should cost 50 grand if memory serves, (at the time in the early 70's that seemed like millions) and all I could think about was what that money could do for me and others like me. I couldn't see it as "art" before the project was done. And I didn't value creativity very highly apparently. But when it was done, I suddenly saw everything differently. And to this day, there are reminders of that momentous occasion in many different local galleries as well as in personal collections. The magic of his work cannot be described easily, at least I am not able to give it justice. But hold an open mind about it, and check it out as the time nears.... and see what you think after it's done. Gotta go and see it first hand though.. :D

[2banon]

14. wow, I just checked out the Wrapped Reichstag project. incredible!

I hadn't seen any photos of it before now. amazing.

[Archae]

15. This guy does not make art.

He does lame stunts.
And calls it "art."

The Sistine Chapel ceiling is art.
Wrapiing something big in plastic or hanging a bunch of orange cloths in a park is a stunt.

His "art" killed a woman.

On 26 October 1991, one of the umbrellas in California was toppled by high winds, killing one woman and injuring several others. The exhibit was ordered closed immediately.<11>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christo#The_Umbrellas.2C_Japan.E2.80.93USA.2C_1984.E2.80.9391

[Webster Green]

16. Of course it is art.

You think that the only thing that qualifies as art is oil paintings by the great masters?

Small minded, linear thinking. Very sad.

[Ian David]

21. People are occasionally killed by art. Or by parade balloons. Or air shows.

Let's stop putting statues outside, because it might fall on someone!

[progressoid]

23. Well,

A crucifix fell and killed a woman a few years ago too. If I had to choose, I'd go with death by Christo than death by crucifix.

[Sub Atomic]

18. I live in Denver and I can't wait to see this.

Riding the river underneath this project is going to be spectacular and the mountain communities that are normally passed by will be flocked with tourists.

There seems to be more uproar about this than the expanded drilling that's been allowed on the front range.

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19221360

[tridim]

19. Christo is a shitty artist.

When I was a kid he covered the sidewalks with gold fabric in my favorite park.

Uhm, okay, now what? You just suck Christo.


^ Not art

[Ian David]

20. Christo always leaves an area cleaner than when he found it. n/t

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

22. Years ago, when he did the fence in Sonoma County, CA

my parter and I with two other friends hired a pilot to fly us over it. We then took a drive to see it from the road. Later, I was just driving by the umbrellas along the grapevine (Hwy 5) South of Bakersfield. Heard some folks were killed when they were walking around them and the wind blew one over. The fabric in the fence was used for many other things after the show.