Christo: Artist or Menace?

I thought this was topical, since the BLM is now accepting comment on Christo and Jean-Claude's proposed project to cover miles of the Arkansas River (one of my favorite photo locales) with fabric, see:

http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/otr.shtml

I just find it slightly ironic that their website prominently mentions concern for the environment, threats of global warming etc, while the details of the project list numerous safegaurds, tests, studies etc in an attempt to prevent environmental harm as a result of this grand art project.

Seems like a worthy topic of discusssion for us photogs--whadya think?

I'm not sure I see the irony. They mention concern for the environment and also note that they're taking steps to ensure they're not harming the environment with the installation. Where's the irony?

Given the nature of the project and the authorisations they would have to get for the project it's not surprising that the BLM would want environmental impact studies done and that the results of the studies would have to satisfy the BLM.

I saw their Gates installation in NYC. It was interesting. Impressive from the standpoint of the size of the undertaking and the required logistics but not necessarily overly aesthetically pleasing. Not unpleasant either. It just didn't really blow me away.

It should be OK if they don't disturb any wild critters by causing them to move . That may be unethical. Is the fabric made in America or by child labor in foreign countries? Will the installation be done by union labor? OH Damn there are four pheasant roosters feeding in my yard on cracked corn and sunflower seeds meant for song birds. Oops wrong message thread.

As to where Christo and Jean-Claude get their materials (i.e. the US or overseas), I'm sure if you posted that question to them, they would answer. As to who does the installation, my understanding is that there is a small professional staff used by the artists (engineers, etc) to do the technical work, but the actual installations are all done by volunteers. In face, I've seen posts where people can sign up to volunteer for the Over the River project. Hope that helps, Ross.

“The gates” project was interesting public art – in a public park in the middle of a large city. Covering miles of a wild river with fabric is completely different. For those of us that believe in the “leave no trace” outdoor ethic as a starting point for analyzing these sorts of human interventions in nature, this kind of project should be considered unacceptable. This project will by its very nature leave an impact - an unacceptable impact. Even though the river is paralleled by a highway and railroad in some sections, placing hundreds of anchors in the ground and covering the river with fabric for two weeks (plus construction time) will disturb and stress wildlife, destroy vegetation, and pollute the area (with construction noise and dramatic increases in traffic, at least, and probably more).

The artists call this project “a gift to Colorado.” It might be an economic gift to Colorado, but certainly is not a gift to the natural environment in that area.

Feel strongly about this (like I do)? Sumbit a comment to the BLM: Comments should be submitted in writing by Dec. 15. Comments can be mailed to Field Manager, Royal Gorge Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 3028 E. Main St., Canon City, CO 81212.

Well, IMHO, the project is selfish and arrogant. They only say that they will try to minimize impact because there will be an impact without a doubt. There is no way to cover 7 miles of a huge, beautiful river without doing physical damage and environmental destruction no matter what the results of any EIS. A park in NYC? Fine, it's all man made anyway. But anchoring huge steel cables and covering the Arkansas River? The time this magnificent place and all of its environment will be in total chaos from start of the construction to end of the cleanup would be more than unacceptable to me if anyone cared what I thought. This art makes a statement to me, but it has little to do with the environment and a lot to do with the ego of the artist. I'm pretty sure anyone reading this could think of a better way to make a statement with this kind of money to spend.

I agree with Mike. There is a statement here and it's one I personally don't appreciate. I think Einstein summed it up perfectly:

"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction. "

I like having choices and don't appreciate anything or anyone who forces themselves in my face. For me, the most powerful works of art are those that speak softly and draw me to them, not ones I have to struggle to avoid.

Guy

I'd suggest not only writing the BLM, but the Governor's office, every Congressman in Colorado, the Senators, House Representatives, mayors of nearby towns, local TV stations & newspapers. Write the Sierra Club and other local conservation groups including the Audubon Society.

I will, and I will tell them I won't spend a dime in Colorado during the period of time this is being constructed or exhibited.

I don't want to see a 'wild' river covered in fabric any more than I want to see sewage or plastic debris floating on top of the water.

I can't make a judgement of the artist, I don't know them, but I can say I find this proposal atrocious. It will intrude on the wildlife, it will interupt with the normal cyle of the animals, it will have a detrimental environmental impact.

How will birds who normally fish that river feed?

The fabric will be blocking at least part of the light and interfere with the life cycle of the fish, fish eggs and the underwater insects.

It will block the normal access of dragonflies, mayflies and other insects that those fish feed on.

Surely in 7 miles of the Arkansas River there are a few endangered species that this project may cause permanent harm to?

It is "Colorful Colorado" not "Colorado covered in Fabric".

I've written to a friend of mine in Colorado who is a reporter (and photographer) who covers environmental & conservations issues, hopefully he will take an interest in this. In fact I know he will.

The more voices that say "no", the less likely this project will be approved.

I agree with Mike, Guy and Lia on this. I am not usually a hard liner on issues like this but I am on this one! I visited the projects website and I don't get the point of the project beyond "because we can?" BLM tends to much more leneint than other agencies ie NPS on this kind of thing. I also remember reading about the Rifle Gap project that simply got destroyed by the high winds in just a few days. This seems a silly, reckless and wasteful project.

A self-serving project that is completely irrelevant in terms of what is best for this society. I have no further comment.

Thanks for the comments, folks. I confess my opinion of this was formed at an early age, when i heard stories of coral reefs being damaged (whether true or fiction) by one of their 'island' projects. Maybe even more than any concern over bighorn sheep dying of thirst, my skepticism is directed more to the unabashed hubris of it all. What's so wrong with simply letting nature be its own art? Guess it's the landscape photographer in me that resents this.

"What's so wrong with simply letting nature be its own art?"

That's one for the quotations file, Stan!

Guy

A project of this scale will have a negative impact on the environment, and the planner's statement that they will strive to "minimize" the impact proves they know it will be damaging. And that's if everything goes as planned. What happens if half of this structure ends up in the river? I lived in Colorado for four years and have witnessed some devastating storms.

IMO, menace fits quite well to describe the "artist" and the project. One, I personally don't see anything artistic about draping fabric all other the place, but I do see something inherently destructive and completely arrogrant about it. Let him go practive his "art" elsewhere, like the Bronx.

Will the opening be a catered event with wine & cheese and a Gallery Talk by the artist? I'm sure the many patrons of the arts who follow their work will put on their blue jeans and boots and head out into the wilderness to witness this spectacle of ... art?

This is just another ill advised attempt at self promotion on the part of the artist's in an effort to satisfy their ego's.