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Christo shows 'Over The River' concepts at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8. He donated the panels to the museum.
The artist Christo calls it artwork that mimics nature, but his plan to drape nearly six miles of aluminum-coated fabric across the top of the Arkansas River has enemies in the environmental community – including two law students and a professor at the University of Denver who helped a local group file a lawsuit Wednesday against the project.
"We are planning to vanquish the giant with the help of these great lawyers from the University of Denver," Joan Anzelmo, a spokesperson for plaintiff Rags Over the Arkansas River, told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Denver where the suit was filed.
Christo, whose massive art displays often prove controversial, himself was visiting the area this week to build up support for his "Over the River" project.
Steve Coffin, a lawyer for Christo, told msnbc.com that Christo's team was confident the project "will withstand legal scrutiny."
In a video describing the project, Christo says he expects "the fabric moving with the wind. It will be unbelievable to see that. The fabric will start to move like surf in the ocean."
A project website, overtheriverinfo.com, states that plans are to display the fabric for two weeks, possibly by August 2014. Christo estimates it will cost $50 million and he intends to pay for it through the sale of original artwork tied to the exhibition.
Christo describes his Over the River project.
The lawsuit targets the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which manages the Arkansas River and approved the project. Christo intends to hang 5.9 miles of fabric in pieces over a 42-mile stretch of the river in Colorado.
DOCUMENT: The lawsuit filed in court
The students were assisted by Michael Harris, head of the law school's environmental law clinic, who told reporters that, while the artwork will only be displayed for two weeks, the work to prepare it is akin to an industrial operation that will scar the river and canyon area around it.
Watch the press conference announcing the lawsuit.
"Christo has been able to work the system. He's been able to convince people that this is just a two-week period that will be so beneficial for the people of Colorado," Harris said. "For two years they're going to be in this canyonland, drilling holes, 9,100 holes, sometimes 30 feet deep to place anchors to hold all this in place."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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He's going to put fabric to look like water over running water? A creative genius! I hope it's blocked in court. It's bound to have negative impacts on the environment and just so he can get publicity (and money) for it?
That's not being creative. It's not even "art" in any way shape or form. It's being an ego-tripping nut case engaged in publicity hounding the tasteless citizens who don't know any better.
If they think our tax dollars should be spent so grossly, fire them, and do it NOW.
Christo's act closed out of town years ago.
If you know anything about Christo's artwork you'd know he does not profit off of his large exhibition pieces.
If you're worried about environmental impact, sue the thousands of corperations destroying it every single day. Tar sands? BP? Deforestation? Take your pick.
You obviously have a very closed mind about what art is and what it is not.
I am in support of Christo, I hope you are able to exhibit this piece.
I thought it sounded cool.... but 6 miles is a bit extreme. Maybe 1/4 of a mile or just a bend in the river?
If he wants to simulate a river, why doesn't he do it some place besides over one? The desert or the salt flats maybe? At least there it would provide some shade where it would be useful.
Sounds like whoever's funding this project has entirely too much money to spend. Obviously they should give their excess cash to me.
What a arrogant JERK this guy is. A river need the air and the light for the fish and their food to survive.
How about someone puts a plastic bag around his head and we can watch it go in and out and then
stillness....... beautiful
Christo funds his own projects with the sale of his artwork. No tax dollars are used and local economies profit.
Sure he's gonna pay for it with "his own money". Bet he got an "art" grant from the federal government. Taxpayer money hard at work. Gotta love it.
The ignorance of people that post cooment never fails to amaze me. Read the article-THEN comment. Better yet, learn about the man and studies he has done before commenting about something you know nothing about- including the environment.
Christo does not get grant money. His work has been selling for big bucks for a long time. He finances all his own projects. He's not even a tax exempt organization.
Taxpayers pay a zillion times more on sports stadiums and affiliated training facilities in our public schools. All those tax dollars paying for a corrupt, money-grubbing, private entertainment industry that's exempt from anti-trust legislation.
Talk about suckers.
I hope this is blacked also. I think the Colorado River has been memorialized forever already - it's called THE GRAND CANYON. Now THAT is art!
Christo is about as artistic as the guy that hung the drapes in my living room.
You must have a really big living room.
Christo is known for this type of art, but he also has paid millions to clean up the environment before he does a project like this. When he wrapped 11 islands in Miami, he also removed 40 tuns of garbage before the project. He leaves things better than before the project.
His art, before this, looked like crap to me. But, the picture on the wall, in the article, of the drapery across something, appealed to me. It conveyed motion, in a still picture. With all the drought around the US, why doesn't he choose a dry river bed instead of one that people use and enjoy. I think it would be more symbolic and accomplish the same effect.
Get A Clue
If he wants to simulate a river, why doesn't he do it some place besides over one? The desert or the salt flats maybe? At least there it would provide some shade where it would be useful.
Now thats a great idea! Christo?
As a patron of the arts and a conservationist, I find this project to be utterly distasteful. not the art itself, but the fact that Christo seeks to have a large and detrimental impact on the Arkansas river, and he thinks money will fix it. There is no environmental issue on the Arkansas, it is perfectly pristine. This project will change that. READ THE ENVOROMENTAL IMPACT STUDY. Oh, and any art that requires the degradation of the environment is disgusting to me. While that may be art, it is not art I care to support, and certainly art I will try to stop.
Christo can spew forever on all his "works" but they are still just the one tired idea done over and over.
If I had $50 Million, I don't think I'd be spending it on stupid art
if you had $500 million, you will spend it on stupid art.
I would, but only if Stupid Art is my retarded brother.
Yes, but what if Art is actually his evil twin Bob!
No- you would probably be at the Super Bowl this weekend, just making some fat cat richer. How about the cost of those ads for 30 seoncds- you want to hear stupid?
Yeah, but Bob n LA, it's da Super Bowl, now dat's culcha.
I was unsure about his works, they intrigued me, then we had "The Gates" In Central Park...it was mesmerizing, in the repetition and feeling, it was stunning. Peaceful and exhilarating.
To walk through those panels, especially on the snow days with the juxtaposition of the saffron colored material and the snow left me feeling both insignificant and a part of a greater experience with all the others enjoying it.
There but for a very short time, it will live in my memory always.
I see the vision in the Colorado project, I will make the trip to see and experience it again.
They naysayers don't get it, probably won't visit it and I am willing to bet have never even been to the area it will be installed in.
Also amazing was the total lack of commercialization of it, his refusal for advertising support, the low key aspect of the print sales.
@Frankly, I kinda see a problem with covering a river to make it look like a river. Plus, why not do something, I dunno, maybe good with $50 million? Sure, art is good, but helping out communities is way better. Starving children. Homeless children. Inner-city children that will never get to see the Colorado River in its natural state, let alone covered in fabric...
Plus, drilling about 9100 holes, some 30 feet deep....whats the impact to the surrounding area from driving the heavy equipment in to do the work? I know the permits are issued, but does this really need to be done?
This is an important Art Work that will memorialize the Arkansas River and Colorado forever. Christos' work honors the environment and brings to it a very reverent perspective. As spectacular as his huge canvas is it would be a meaningless nothingness if it wasn't suspended in contrast to the astounding natural world surrounding it. This is a statement of nature's inevitable dominance over man, it expresses the imperative that man's efforts will eventually harmonize with nature, they have to. If you are truly an environmentalist you should celebrate this work because it celebrates nature and because it eventually yields to it as we all must.
James, i'm glad you are in school as an art student, but Christo doesn't play to the common person nor does he actually care about educating anyone. the concept is interesting, but in in a hundred years his name will be forgotten or just remembered as the con-artist with all the fabric.
Art has never played to the common person and Art is not about educating anyone. Too bad you could not have visited "Running Fence" in Northern California. These works are meant to be experienced. They are the opposite of the pseudo intellectualism of "studio" art, they are lving and breathing creations, man made entities living in harmony with nature for a very short time. In a hundred years the most memorable thing that people will reflect on about the Arkansas River is the Christos work, the ribbon that lived, for proof, look at how much attention this work has already brought. Christos' works are to be experienced, they can be debated better afterwards.
$10,000 ok go do it , but 50,000,000 wow you have issues mr. christos I have no parents and I have not eatin anything in 2 days can you please lend me money to eat scam kid i'm working on art to spend 50,000,000
James, you obviously have never talked to anyone who lives along that stretch of river. The locals don't want this, and you are sadly mistaken as to the effect and impact this will have on the people who live there.
Art is not killing wildlife by covering it with cloth.
If it's art, can they start by wrapping you in 6 miles of cloth?
Covering a river for a month and not allowing light and air as nature intended to get to the river is not "memorializingnature" it is destroying it. Unless he is planning to memorialize it since he is killing it this is asinine. It is a waste of time, money and dangerousfor the environment. Permanent scars on the environment are already being created for this stupid unnecessary crap.
James, you state, "If you are truly an environmentalist you should celebrate this work because it celebrates nature and because it eventually yields to it as we all must."
Did you read this part of the article: "For two years they're going to be in this canyonland, drilling holes, 9,100 holes, sometimes 30 feet deep to place anchors to hold all this in place."
What part of nature does this help?? Do you live in Colorado? The area is used for fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and water rafting. People go there just to sit and picnic and enjoy the area because it is such a beautiful and tranquil place.
What fun it will be to hear the drilling, which eventually will cause havoc with the canyon walls and disturb the wildlife. The anchors would more than likely be left behind because it would be too much of a task and too costly to remove.
Christo is trying to make a name for himself no matter what the effect. This has nothing has to do with celebrating nature.
Art my butt
I do think it's an interesting project, and I'd like to see it. However, to cover 6 miles of river for a couple of weeks and say there will be no environmental impact simply doesn't hold water (pun intended). Also, $50 million is more than I think this is worth (strictly personal, I know). Therefore, while I think it's a cool concept, I can't support it because of its direct and indirect costs.
This isn't art - it is a bunch of bull s***!!!
@James why would the Arkansas river and Colorado need to be "memorialized" ? The river has been here forever and Colorado does just fine on it's own without the destruction that will be caused by this "art". Just how in the world does Christos work honor the environment (your words) if it's going to destroy it to be created? Spending 2 years drilling over 9,000 holes up to 30 ft deep is going to do nothing but destroy the beauty that is the Arkansas river and Colorado.
Nature should be left alone and respected. It is the most beautiful art all by itself. This project must be stopped.
I like the idea too. Not really because of the artistic concept, but just because it's wacky and interesting, and I don't think it's going to be horribly harmful. Sounds like good clean fun to me. (I majored in art too, so I'm partial to artists, even if they are eccentric.)
Obviously the people that are for this are not in Colorado and are "artists" for arts sake and doesn't that sound grand!
James - here's my take on this. I enjoy poop art just like the girl on the episode of Oddities. (well, not really, but for argument sakes go with me on this) How about I smear a whole mess of it on the mona lisa, because thats "art" to me. Wouldn't that be beautiful?
You cant improve on the pure beauty of mother nature and shame on anyone damaging it for the sake of "art". Unreal....
Because it would look cool we should just let him do it no matter the cost to the real thing?
At the rate the world is being damaged, we had better sink some real bucks into how we are going to get off this rock once we've exploited all its resources and polluted the environment beyond its ability to sustain us.
It strikes me as sad that that people who advocate taking care of the planet over exploitation are considered nutcases. More than one candidate has expressed views to the effect of damn the environment; let’s get people back to work.
If that is the case lets put them to work at NASA.
Sorry James... you're certainly entitled to your opinion, but I'm entitled to disagree. And I do. First... what could Christo possibly do the Arkansas or Colorado that would make them more memorable than they already are? I now live between Boulder and Denver and have often rafted and camped along the Arkansas. You must never have visited the area if you think it needs aluminized fabric blowing in the wind to make it "memorable". Also, while the funding is generated by donors and Christo's other projects (and not tax dollars, as some here have assumed), I think it is deplorable in this day and age with so much unemployment and financial uncertainty in the world and in our country, for ANYone to spend $50M on extremely esoteric art. We're not ignorant peasants here, but we like our river as it was created and as it exists naturally. Even for two weeks, the covering will disrupt wildlife. In the run-up to those two weeks, the preparation is disturbing wildlife and wilderness seekers, not to mention causing long-term (maybe permanent) damage to the surrounding area. To your point that one must experience Christo's art to understand it... I am originally from Florida and saw, firsthand, the pink plastic-wrapped islands in the Keys. Wow. It looked interesting, at best, from aerial shots. Looked like abandoned garbage from water level. And there are still people finding evidence of that plastic in the area, by the way. Is that the intended artistic effect? Look, Christo has all the rights of anyone in this country. But because he has--and is willing to spend--outlandish amounts of money to essentially wrap natural wonders in fabric or plastic, does not trump the rights of the communities in which he wishes to "exhibit".
Why doesn't take that shiny fabric and wrap 500,000 survival kits (food, blankets, hygiene and first aid items) and distribute that to the homeless. I'd go for that in a heartbeat, and probably kick in some cash myself! And I bet he'd get a HUGE boost in fame and income from that "civic art". I'm just sayin'.
A whole string of strawman attacks. Do you really think that after millions of dollars of EIS have been thrown at Christo nobody has thought of the wildlife? What did you think the EIS addresses? There are no environmental consequences, that's the point! After 20 years of planning, OF COURSE it's a leave-no-trace project. Not one argument here even has its facts straight - just idiots making random kneejerk assumptions. Nobody said it was 6-miles of continuous display - you just assumed it was. This is not wilderness high in the Rockies, this is an industrialized canyon with a highway on one side and busy railroad tracks on the other. Most of us Coloradoans DO look forward to another beautiful Christo project - there's nothing like them. But it doesn't matter if you live here or not, it's a project for all Earthlings to appreciate; we're just proud he's doing another Colorado project. And what's with all the people commenting as if he doesn't have a string of successful projects behind him? How can you not have heard of the Central Park sheets or the Running Fence or the Biscayne Islands? Some people just down have brains wired for large-scale art. If that's the case, just admit it, move on, but don't take art away from the rest of us because of your failure to enjoy. The law students wanted a lawsuit and then looked for a target. It's not about the project, it's about them. Their lawsuit has already been addressed, they are wrong, it will be dismissed as frivolous.
@NoTime4Foolz
You're argument: ignoring your incorrect claims about wildlife and wilderness, your argument summary: because there are homeless people artists shouldn't exist. Full of logic fail.
Any person in government who considered this outrageous project - is a LUNATIC!
And, guess what, I am an artist.
****
Most definitely, Christo can put his thinking cap on - and come up with another idea - on how to spend $50 MILLION - that would have a more lasting effect - in times of economic hardship for our country - besides taking a chuck out of nature.
While he wants to stretch fabric - over natural settings, stretching dollars has become an art form - under this administration.
Where do you think the $50M is going? Manufacturing jobs, installation, surveyors, clerical workers, managers, site supervisors... plus an increase in tourism.
James says we don't know what art is. My daughter had a college art teacher that put paper clips in a pile and called it art. If that's art, than I have patients that make art every morning after breakfast.
Michael Angelo. Now there was an artist.
How about paying human beings to stand at intervals along the banks of the river while wrapped in fabric that can blow in the wind. 2 weeks pay for standing wrapped in fabric? Bet a lot of homeless and unemployed would take that gig for a few bucks. When the project ends the fabric can be used and added to with fresh fabric to wrap care packages for the homeless and poor. Then still you'd hardly put a dent in the 50 mill so could fund dozens of other people art projects promoting Christos' art and humanatarian contributions.
Finabiscotti..
I volunteered to help install Christo's Surrounded Islands project when I was in highschool. I still live near it. Nothing wrong with the environment. At the time, the same kind of comments where made..It's not art..It's gonna kill the environment...It's stupid...
One of the most interesting and enchanting exhibits I've seen. To see it while driving over the causeway or from a neighboring office building was beautiful.
Just google it.
Oh, and next time you might wanna post some chocolate-flavored words. How's that for art?
Have a nice day.
For all those who are unemployed and offended about "somebody" spending $50M on art, keep in mind that $50M is going to EMPLOY a whole lot of people.
Maybe, if you really want a job, you should check the private contractors involved with the Christo project to see if they are hiring.
To the idiots who did not bother to learn:
The anchors will be removed, they will leave no trace...just as they did in Central Park or any of his other works.
It is not 6 Miles turned into a big tunnel, it is a total of six miles over a 42 MIle Stretch...IE less than 1/7th of the area will have the material, the material is not a tunnel at all. It has no sides, the material lets almost half the light through, the Dept of the Environment says this will actually be a benefit to the trout as they need some shade.
No work will occur during the peak tourist season or during migratory bird periods or near any eagle nests.
The government is not contributing a penny in any way shaper or form, the project is paying the cost for police etc in relation to the project. The local economic benefit will be very positive for the area in booth materials sourcing and hiring...not to mention tax revenues for the state. The equipment they will use has mufflers on it to make sure noise levels are low, they will be lower than the adjacent highway noise and even more low than the often adjacent Railroad.
Educate yourself before falling for lot of assumptions:
http://www.overtheriverinfo.com/
James and those who agree with him.... you horrify me.
Well, James, do you think Repugnance is an "experience"? I will tell you one thing, it is NOT. To view the destruction of the greatest Art ever conceived... that of Nature... is not only the Arrogance of Ignorance... It insults every true Artist for thousands of years...
Consider the wall art of the Egyptians 5,000 B.C. and their hieroglyphics through those ancient centuries. Think of the Greek mosaics and Roman sculptures millennia both B.C. And A.D. . And the Byzantine art of the European Dark Ages culminating in the remarkable three-dimensional art of Constantinople into the 15th Century. Regard the masterpieces of Ireland's Book of Kells dated back to the 9th century A.D.. Medieval Art exceeds anything we modernists have ever produced, if we realize it was supreme for over a thousand years. And we include Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and too many more there is room here to mention.
And I have not even begun with true Modern Art of which Impressionism is an early example and which is my personal favorite...
And in NONE of the acknowledged greats throughout history has ANY relied on the destruction of Natural beauty. And that includes Nature's extremes from the poles to deserts, swamps to oceans...
Art respects Nature; Art cannot destroy it and survive.
Particularly not the destruction which buries a river, whether its rapids or its pools of quietude... with six miles of aluminum "fabric" (and think of the handy dandy tenacity of metal thread against Nature).
And Cristo thinks he is an artist? He has to destroy a stunning river to get his name before us?
I have nothing but contempt for him and if he receives even $1.00 … One cotton pickin' American dollar from the United States Government, restrain him and any who even think of financing him who would pay him from our tax dollars. He is nothing but a fraud at best, and on the extreme left side of the Bell Curve as we look at it head on as the most pathetic.
And any who would try to disburse our taxes supporting his cockamamie ideas may disburse themselves into a nut house in the cell next to him.
@ HeartsQuest:
I'll bet those are the only two you could name.
Yes, those Impressionists certainly did paint pretty pictures, and were denounced at the time for their innovation.
This is a variation on the pink surrounded islands in Miami in 1983. While that project helped to lift Miami's spirits in the wake of the cocaine cowboys era, I think this river project is ill-advised, since it appears the ecosystem damage will be more lasting. The soft earth, mud and turtle grass of the surrounded islands all remediated fairly quickly. Boring holes into solid rock is eternal.
Look at the drawings in the Wall Street Journal. The fabric appears to be at least 25' above water level. Plenty of room for animals as well as recreational rafters and fisherman.
The money for this so called art is most likely from a federal grant . This a waste of money that could be best used else where. Like documenting the plight of american workers. Some people like to waste money cause they are to stupid to understand it
If you're going to call somebody stupid...ah nevermind
leftistreporting,
the money for this art work is all self funded--no public or taxpayer money involved. Christos uses his own money for these projects. They already have invested over 6 million dollars in the Arkansas river project much of it on environmental studies as required for the permits.
And some people stupidly blame others without knowing any facts whatsoever.
James-316346,
Tens of thousands of tax dollars have already been spent on this "art", and if Christos is allowed to go ahead with it, taxpayers will be stuck with a bill that will be in the hundreds of thousands at least, perhaps several million.
Have you read the impact statement for this project? If you had, you would know that this isn't some fairy-came-skipping-lightly-on-the-water lark: It's a plundering of the local environment, the only purpose of which is to give "intellectuals" with debilitating outgrowths of affectations something to moon and sigh over.
Lune
Lune-Tune: Where are you getting your false information? Christo funds his own projects with the sale of his artworks, which incorporate the fabric used once the project is complete.
Did you even read the article?
RevSpinnaker,
Of course I read the article, but I read a great deal more as well, including the impact statement which has cost taxpayers a bit in excess of $10,000 to put through. The costs of this proposed project aren't just for the rags that Christo wants to flap in the wind over the river. The project (if it goes forward) will require about two-years involvement of quite a few governmental workers at all levels (local, state, and federal) as well as various nonprofit and NGO organizations that are largely funded through various governmental (read tax-payer) sources. Depending on the final extent of governmental involvement, this proposed project will cost tax payers (as I said) hundreds of thousands at least, perhaps several million dollars.
Do your homework. It's not so hard.
Lune
From the Wall Street Journal:
And to repeat ad nauseum, Christo pays for everything. And unlike NASCAR he doesn't take corporate money.
Let's say the environmental impact statement cost $10,000 (I couldn't find the costs).That's not much compared to the $121M economic impact. I did see some other drawings of the project and found the fabric will be suspended at least 25 feet over the water. There is plenty of room for animals to access the river and the fabric itself appears to be translucent. I actually like it much better after seeing more pictures. I agree with the following from the WSJ.
According to the WSJ Christo is paying for all required licensing and studies, so regarding your tax-payer cost analysis, citations please.
Yeah, I want to land a big turd on the White House porch and make money from the "sale of original artwork tied to the exhibition." And I just know it will make lots of money because it's not a turd - it's my art. Objections anyone?
don't try to upstage mother nature...you probably won't be successful
Silly waste of time and money. How about making a painting or a sculpture that actually looks like somthing. What passes as art these days leaves me cold ... very cold.
These days?????? He has been working on projects like this all over the world for decades! Its his money, his time, his providing jobs & it was approved by environmental agencies in Colorado. Just because his art reflects an idea or provides a conceptual reaction from others does not make it any less art than a painting.
Virgough: What about Chicago's "Cloudgate" affectionately known by residents as "the Bean." It's non-objective form doesn't "actually look like" anything, yet it was endeared by the public with the nickname within a week of unveiling. It also surpassed the Eiffel Tower for a year as the #1 tourist attraction in the world.
That equates to big $$$ for Chicago's economy.
Just because it is called art, it doesn't make it good. And there is no way to improve God's "art". I am an artist, but I also love the outdoors and I have rafted the Arkansas river in Colorado several times. This is a project that is not worth the time, money, or damage to a beautiful area. The only people (person) it will benefit are Christo and the workers who will install the piece. He needs to stick to his big city projects.
This is an important Art Work that will memorialize the Arkansas River and Colorado forever. Christos' work honors the environment and brings to it a very reverent perspective. As spectacular as his huge canvas is it would be a meaningless nothingness if it wasn't suspended in contrast to the astounding natural world surrounding it. This is a statement of nature's inevitable dominance over man, it expresses the imperative that man's efforts will eventually harmonize with nature, they have to. If you are truly an environmentalist you should celebrate this work because it celebrates nature and because it eventually yields to it as we all must.
You, James, are nuts!
This is a stupid art project. Don't let it happen.
Its already been permitted. Christos has already invested over 6 Million of his own money in this.
spend the money on something better feed the poor people of america what a stupid thing to do and to call it art when Americans are hurting and starving 50 million goes a long way this guy needs his head examined
anyone who wastes money like that has some issues. it's like when tigers woods x wife tore her 12 million dollar house down something is wrong with you if you throw 12 million dollars out the window but if have 100 million 12 is nothing i guess but it's still a problem where do people think it's ok to waste so much money when the rest of the world is hurting makes no sense
their should be a stupid tax if do something like tear down a 12,ooo,ooo home you should be taxed double for being so wasteful
Its not all about money.
Yep, a 6 mile long sandwich to feed the poor and starving homeless would be some real art too see...
James - one minute you say it's not about the money and the next you are talking about how much of his own money he has already spent - pick an argument and go with it - don't try to claim both.
it's about the insane waste of money I love Art and I Love Money too it helps me survive daily
it's a selfish act it's not his money either it's all donated money if it was his money he has the right to do what he wants with his money but to spend 50 million on something like that and call it art is crazy
I think Christo should keep his money and call the whole thing off. To Hell with the people who would have been employed by the project. They can all join the welfare rolls.
Because who needs to spend money on art when so many people are unemployed?
Christos has invested his own money in this without bragging about it, its others who want to talk about money, either by falsely claiming its tax payer money, or by self righteously thinking that they should be able to tell him how to spend his own money. In both cases" others" are wrong.
Lame....
50 million to drape a river (and cause environmental instability), can you imagine how much 50 million would mean to the homeless, the under employed, Colorado schools' budget and the strapped state? What a colossal waste of money in the name of "art."
My dear old friend, the late Nick Standing Bear, was fighting this some 6 years ago. The greatest concern is for the fish not getting any sunlight for a long period of time and their inability to adapt. If only we Americans had the attitude about the environment the Indians do. It starts with our not being superior (thus allowing us to feel we can do anything we want) but being just another animal, just with very unique capabilities.
So what happens if/when a storm rolls thru and high winds tear this fabric apart and it is strewn all over? Now instead of "art" (hard to even type that) we have litter.
Nothing that Christo has ever displayed ever looked anything like nature. Locals have fought against this abor tion of an "art" display for years, but the BLM has approved it, so I guess money talks. That stretch of highway has no shoulders to pull off to park, so it will create a lot of congestion, since that road is the primary commercial route across most of Southern Colorado. There are few places to eat, refuel or stay along that road, so Salida and Pueblo will be the only recipients of any money that comes here with visitors. That leaves the locals in the immediate area stuck with ruined scenery, crowded roads, spooked wildlife and many unwelcomed "art lovers". We also hope this lawsuit is successful, because the BLM did not listen to the locals about whether they wanted this or not.
the lawyer's hot.
I know a little something about this project , because the proposed site is about twenty five miles south of my home . Environmental impact is drawing the headlines , but what most of the locals who live in Bighorn Sheep Canyon are concerned about is public safety . Hwy. 50 runs along side the Arkansas River and it is a two lane winding road that is a fairly hazardous drive as is . For the folks who live in the canyon the nearest hospitals are 25 to 30 miles to the north or south and clogged roads that will slow emergency response time concerns them . Personally I think that this is a stupid idea that's all about big money and bigger egos , but then again money talks .
Did you know they will have over 20 policemen paid by the project(Not by the taxpayers at each major section?
Did you know that there will be several medical helicopters at the site paid for by the project?
Did you know traffic is expected to have only a 1% increase (Est by Dept of Transportation) during the project?
No?
Try finding out, i did in a quick net search
Hey DA-
Did you know there isn't enough room in that canyon for 20 policemen at each major section?
Did you know there is no room for a helicopter to land in that canyon?
Did you know that they are touting one of the benefits of the project as being the thousands and thousands of people who will come to gaze upon fabric and so will have to drive through the canyon- so how will traffic only increase by 1%?
Try commenting on a topic you know something about.
This whole thing is so EFFING STUPID to me. I can't even wrap my head around the human and environmental toll this will take. I hope it's blocked - this thing has bothered me since I first heard about it. How is this even legal in the first place?!?! Is anyone else as infuriated as I am over this?
This BOZO's "works" are not art. He is fraud and alot of what's wrong with the "art" world - wouldn't urinate on any of his "art" if it was on fire
Good for the kids w the lawsuit - to block the rape of nature.
After that, they can go after Al Gore and his BOGUS geo-thermal energy projects being continuously financed by our US taxpayer money -
even though drill bits keep breaking, constant land tremors and damage to properties and foundations - over One Hundred Miles away from Gore's drilling projects.
This would be better placed on the Los Angeles river.
Glad to see the lawsuit going. Where is the Monkey wrench gang when you need them?
This project of Art will NEVER happen.
Good idea. the are plenty of places in this country that would probably look better disguised with fabric. LA is probably a good place to start. rap off a few areas that are filled with crime and gang bangers so they can't get out for awhile. But leave the beautiful areas alone. We have to have a few clean and beautiful places to go to now and then.
How about we just wrap the neanderthals who think art is a poster of Brittany Spears? You would have ridiculed Monet, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
Jut go to the mall and see Lethal Weapon 6 and slop on the crap they serve at TGI Fridays and call it a big night out for culture!
How provincial you are
Skilife- Monkey Wrench Gang was my first thought. ; )
Donate all that material to the Appalachian Mountain & inner city children for clothes.....NOT cut off the sunlight to the river and all that lives in it. Drape the children...now that would be beautiful!!
Good God, is this guy still alive and doing this $hit?? I remember hearing about his "art" back in 1984, when I was just 14. Idiotic garbage.
As an artist, I thought Cristo's early work was very cool. Then someone died as a consequence of one of his installations. No longer cool at all. I think I would have viewed that as a message from the gods to knock it off, apparently he was too focused on himself and didn't understand the message.
DAVE do you feel the same way about Football, Movies, Concerts, Baseball, etc. People have died at all of these.
God must want the NFL shut down!
Excellent point Frankly. The NCAA was formed at the beginning of the last century to curb deaths on collegiate football fields. Concussions, paralysis... all taught at your public school in the name of "education."
For many of these posters, their idea of culture is a good tractor-pull.
RevSpinnaker, This spring we could take the couch and tv out of my trailer, put it on the front lawn and watch a car race. With a cooler of beer of course! Hows that for culture, Good ole boy culture for ya! Its easy to find my trailer, Ill have my 4x4 with the gun rack in it parked out front. Be careful though they are loaded!