The Atlantic: Christo, the artist famous for wrapping the Reichstag, erecting orange gates in Central Park, and running miles of fabric fence through Sonoma County ranch-land, has thrown in the towel. He told the New York Times this week that he is abandoning Over the River, his plan to drape a canopy over 6 miles of Colorado’s Arkansas River, as a protest against President Donald Trump.
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I remember learning about Christo and his wife in art class, and the years, negotiations, and high price tag on their works. All of that investment, and considering that this was one of the last projects planned with his late wife, would all be reasons to continue, so I’m impressed that he was will to make this political statement. Obviously, I don’t want artists to just stop working in the US because Trump was elected. But Christo is an installation artist, so locations are significant. Refusing to work on government land during the Trump administration is a focused protest, and quite different from Prince disavowing a portrait linked to Trump. There is trying not to be associated with Trump as a person, who has said some really despicable things, and demonstrating that many people aren’t supportive of and willing to work with his administration. Republicans in congress have given and taken support from during the election, maybe it can happen again.
I saw the gates back 12 years ago in 2005, and while I was only 6 or 7, I remember walking through the park after they had gotten soaked from a massive snowstorm the night before. I didn't understand what the hell I was looking at, because I was so young, but looking back at photos and articles about it, it was a very cool installation project that brightened up the park in the dead of winter.
While it is sad that he's abandoning what I think would have been an amazing piece, I can't help but think that even in a small way it's a great message to send to the fed, and considering all the cuts that will probably be made to arts funding in the next few years, it makes sense why he would protest Trump. Nevertheless, it is sad that what may have been his last piece will be scrapped, as I would have loved to see it.
I too saw the Gates in Central Park when I was very small, on a second grade class trip. I had no idea what was going on, but I liked the bright colors and I liked being outside with my friends walking through the park instead of inside at school. I've always remembered it as this ugly, silly thing that was a fun experience but lacked any real meaning or importance. It is interesting to hear that the point was to create conversation because thinking about it it really did. Even now, whenever it is brought up the conversation always shifts towards art as a whole and what it is and what it means. While it is sad that the project will not be completed because, through lack of the physical piece, many not involved int he art world will not take part in this important and interesting conversation. However, I believe that this now sparks a new kind of conversation. The process has been going for enough time to get many involved and spread the word. A new conversation can arise about art, less focused on what it is and its meaning, more focused on what it can do in society and what purpose it can serve in confronting the issues we face.
Christo’s piece in central park is one of my most vivid memories of art I can ever remember. I was young when my parents brought me. I think I might have still been in a stroller, but nothing could allow you to forget something like those orange gates all over central park. Christo’s newest project sounds really cool and could be stunning from all angles; however, I wonder how accessible/public this project is. The gates were in the middle of central park for all of Manhattan while this was to be over the Arkansas river in Colorado. Once it was built, I wonder if the only way to view it would be from above or whether you could ride the river under the covering. I honestly have no idea what that river is used for — if anything — but I think the two perspectives would be very cool and different from the other.
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