When I was a young lad I thought art was something you went to a museum to see. It hung on a wall in a frame, or perhaps as statue on a pedestal. Then one day I opened a magazine and saw a picture like the one above. I had heard a description of "Running Fence" and thought "give me a break - that's not art". Then I saw the pictures. It was a life changing experience. For me, it removed so many boundaries of what art could be, but also the boundaries of what I could be. The act of viewing this picture gave me permission to be creative. I found out the artists name were
Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Their website describes their work as "temporary large scale environmental works that include elements of painting, sculpture architecture and urban planning". I would describe their work as surprising, lyrical and powerful.
I've been lucky enough to see one of their works in person. In 2005 I drove to New York City in a blinding snow storm to see "The Gates". Here was a work of art so powerful that it made jaded New Yorkers behave nicely towards tourists. You can see that work at
Christo's and Jeanne-Claude's website. The Smithsonian American Art Museum is currently holding an exhibition entitled
"Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Remembering the Running Fence". The exhibit ends September 26th, 2010. While it is not the same as seeing the work in person, it is probably the next best thing. Go.
