Q and A: Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The world-famous installation artists responsible for The Gates and Running Fence discuss the upcoming Smithsonian exhibit about their works
- By Anika Gupta
- Smithsonian magazine, December 2008, Subscribe
In 1976, installation artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude built Running Fence, a 24.5-mile fabric divide that sliced through Northern California's Sonoma and Marin counties. They spoke with Anika Gupta about a forthcoming Smithsonian exhibit on the project.
Why did you choose Northern California as the site for Running Fence?
Christo: The moisture [in Marin County] creates this lovely light and beautiful fog. In the morning, the mist rolls forward from the ocean and the fence becomes invisible, part of the mist. Then the mist rolls back. So throughout the day the fence is constantly appearing and disappearing.
Running Fence stretched across private land, most of which belonged to 59 ranchers. How did you get them to agree to let you use their land?
Jeanne-Claude: I was standing in this one kitchen and the rancher kept saying to me, "The fence has no purpose." So I told him, "A work of art needs no purpose, it is beautiful." But he was not totally convinced. Then, as he led me to the door, I saw these little green leaves by his front stoop. "What did you plant here, lettuce or radishes?" I asked. "Those are flowers," he explained. "But you cannot eat flowers!" I responded. And he said, "Honey, I got the message."
What was your reaction when the Smithsonian American Art Museum purchased the Running Fence documentary and related photos and drawings?
Christo: We were very excited, of course. We were eager that the project stay in the United States, and that it remain a complete story.
You later encountered very vocal opposition to the project. Why?
Jeanne-Claude: The opposition said that the things we did were not art. Someone even claimed that we were Soviet spies building a marker for missiles. We later realized the local artists saw us as an invasion of their turf, which is quite a human response.
Running Fence is not the first of your projects to be featured in a documentation exhibition. How did the possibility of an exhibition change your artistic process?
Christo: At the beginning of the project, we kept 60 of the early sketches for the exhibition. We also kept a scale model [68 feet long]. At one point, we promised the ranchers that they could keep all the fence materials after "Running Fence" was done. But we kept one of the poles and one of the fabric panels ourselves for the exhibition.
When you called your project Running Fence, were you thinking of the role that fences play in the West?
Christo: No. At first we were going to call the project the Divide, after the Continental Divide, because that is what inspired us to build it. We were up in the Rocky Mountains and we saw the sunrise over the Continental Divide. But then we thought, Divide is too unfriendly a word. We wanted to link the suburban, urban and highway cultures in California together rather than separate them. Also, that name was vague. We prefer very descriptive titles. So then we chose "Running Fence."
Jeanne-Claude: We do not think of it as a fence. It does not have a beginning and an end. It has two extremities, like a person.
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Comments (10)
When will Running Fence documentary film be shown at Smithsonian? Or, elsewhere? How long will the exhibit be displayed at the Smithsonian -- which museum? Thank you.
Posted by Fred Pelzman on August 15,2009 | 07:19 PM
I had the honor to help erect Running Fence. I was living in Sonoma County at the time with a studio on the Russian River. As a beginning artist the chance to participate in such a project was thrilling. I appeared in the film made of the project, received one of the magnificent books and put a slip of paper into the time capsule which was interred at Valley Ford. The whole experience was thrilling and a highlight of my own art career.
Posted by Jeanne Hansen on May 16,2009 | 05:54 PM
Im the first local youth Christo and Jeanne - Clauded hired for the survey party of the future Running Fence. Wow,just amazeing. I/We wrote the book Christo and Jeanne - Claudes local youth. Its a 40 page book explaining what it was like for me to walk behind Christo and Jeanne - Claude,starting in Cotati,California. 24.5 miles to the Pacific Ocean. My/Our book is on Display at the Chariels Shultz Museum. Thank You Christo and Jeanne - Claude.
Posted by Larry on February 27,2009 | 10:18 PM
I have become very interesrted and excited about a forthcomming project lacated in Colorao. Its called the Over the River project on the Arkansas River. I am a supporter and think the project will be a great art exibit to show people the beauty of Colorado..Wishing well. Edith Rayer
Posted by Edith Rayer on February 23,2009 | 02:41 PM
I love all of Christo aand Jean-Claude's works. I would love to have a video of all of their works, one where I may look and gaze and ponder and peruse, not having to hurry through the fast peeks that we get on the news. It is a beautiful thing to see the shared love they have for their various works. Please see if there is a possibility of seeing all their works at my leisure in my home. May God bless them for their endeavors for they have surely shared their love of art with the the world. Susan
Posted by Susan D Fraser on December 30,2008 | 09:25 PM
In looking at the comments, I realize that while each of these projects is an art object, the sum total of Christo and Jean-Claude's work is a great collection of and exploration of art. I look forward to seeing it all come together in an exhibit of all their work.
Posted by ava jaipuria on December 29,2008 | 12:46 PM
I experienced Christo's Umbrellas in California many years ago and must say what a sight it was to see the hills dotted with yellow umbrellas. I was only sorry to see them taken down because of the many people to never experience them. Christo's work is something to experience. He and Jeanne Claude are one of kind. Bravo for enriching the lives of so many with art!!
Posted by Michele Mazzei on December 17,2008 | 08:35 PM
I was fortunate to meet these two artists in Austin TX where they had come to open an exhibit of some of their smaller, room-sized "wraps" at the Austin Museum of Art. What a friendly, delightful, down-to-earth couple.
Posted by Jack Hanna on December 17,2008 | 06:09 PM
In february of 2005, my wife and I were fortunate to experience "THE GATES" in Central Park, N.Y.C. The 7,500 gates were amazing. It totally transformed the park into a wonderland of saffron color. I was given a piece of the vinyl used in the project and it serves as a reminder of what a memorable experience it was. I look forward to the possibility of a new installation from Christo and Jean-claude.
Posted by JOHN ROPPOLO on December 6,2008 | 06:54 PM
I have referred my Art students to this site.
Posted by RUTH CANAWAY on November 27,2008 | 03:47 AM