Why Public Art?

The artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude have sparked an enormous amount of controversy with the plans for his latest public art project.  Over The River – a proposed project for the Arkansas River in Colorado – was originally planned to open in the Summer of 2010.  The projection is now August 2014.  It has been held up in it’s effort to gain the approval of a number of agencies at the federal, state, county and town level as well as facing a large grass roots opposition movement calling itself “Rags Over Arkansas River”.  This week the project finally received Federal approval, but still awaits permits at the local level.  The plan is to suspend 962 panels of fabric over a 40 mile stretch of the Arkansas River.  This is not the first time that the pair have faced controversy over their work.  This project in particular seems to raise a number of crucial questions about the role of art as a public endeavor.

Left: Christo, Over the River (Project for Arkansas River, State of Colorado), Drawing 1999, 22 x 28" (55.9 x 71.1 cm), Pencil, charcoal, wax crayon and pastel // Photo: Wolfgang Volz // © 1999 Christo; Right: Christo, Over the River (Project for Arkansas River, State of Colorado), Drawing 2010, 13 7/8 x 15 1/4" (35.3 x 38.7 cm), Pencil, charcoal, wax crayon and pastel // Photo: André Grossmann // © 2010 Christo

At first glance, Over The River seems at best an extreme exercise in artistic ego, and at worst a reckless environmental hazard.  Upon closer examination, it offers an illuminating perspective on the way that art can change our perception,ask us to stop and notice aspects of a world we often take for granted, and serve as economic stimulus.  The $11 million project will be funded 100% by the artists, with no public subsidy or tax dollars.  The expectation is that through increased tourist traffic and the creation of over 620 jobs, the project will bring in excess of $111.3 million dollars to the state of Colorado.  Without going into great detail, an analysis conducted by the Bureau of Land Management shows that the impact on traffic, wildlife and safety should be minimal.  Taken purely on economic merits, I think there is something to be said for well off artists working to inject $11 million – and ultimately $111.3 million – into a regional economy.  But the experience of the work itself, for those who manage to go see it over the course of the two weeks that it will be in place, should be profound.

The fabric, suspended 8 to 25 feet over the water, will be translucent.  The colors and effects of the fabric will shift over the course of the day as the light changes.  Plus, it will alter the viewer’s perspective of the landscape from a number of directions.  From underneath, on the banks but particularly for those on the water, the sky, clouds and mountains, seen through the fabric will be enhanced and transformed.  From the highway, the intention is that the sky, reflected on the fabric as it moves with the wind, will appear similar to waves on the ocean.  A tribute to the majestic landscape of the American West that is such a vibrant symbol of this country.  It will be a shame if this project is never realized.  If you ask me, it’s a shame that it will only be up for two weeks.

For further information, visit the project website at  http://www.overtheriverinfo.com.

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