The following is an excerpt from Christo and Jeanne Claude's website. It is an explanation on how they view the work and was also written by them. The website is very in depth and covers their entire career. Take a few minutes to browse their site and then respond to the questions at the bottom in bold print.The temporary large-scale environmental works (both urban and rural environments) have elements of painting, sculpture, architecture and urban planning.
For instance the Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida,1980-83. could be seen as giant flat paintings (shaped canvases).
The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85. could be seen as a very large sculpture, in a traditional sense of antique folds and draperies, however the bridge, while wrapped,remained a bridge, a piece of architecture. Cars were rolling on it, boats were passing under the wrapped arches, the public was crossing the bridge, walking on the fabric.
The Umbrellas, Japan-USA, 1984-91. has to do with urban planning. 3,100 umbrellas, each two stories high, 59.3 square meters (638.17 square feet), spread on a total span of 49 Km. (30 miles) by a width of 4 Km. ( 2.5 miles) along roads and highways, adjacent to barns, temples, churches, gas stations, schools, habitations and cattle.
Once the work of art has been read for what it really is, then the process preceding the completion is easily understood.
Nobody discusses a painting before it has been painted.But architecture and urban planning are always discussed before completion. People discuss the possibility of a new bridge, a new highway, a new airport before those are built.One of the numerous permits to be obtained from various government agencies, in addition to the 25 ranchers in California and the 459 rice field farmers in Ibaraki, was the 200 pages book from the Ministry of Construction in Tokyo. They worked for one year, together with our engineers, to finally grant us a Permit to build 1340 houses (shaped canvases creating settlements as houses without walls).Our projects are discussed and argued about, pro and con, before they are realized.To understand our work one must realize what is inherent to each project. However, there is an important difference between our works of art and the usual architecture and urban planning, we are our own sponsors and we pay for our works of art with our own money, never accepting any grants nor sponsors.
Their monumental undertakings have always been controversial. This controversy stems not from the subject matter, but because of the encroachment into public space. After viewing some of the projects by these two, would you be opposed to a large scale Christo project happening on our campus?...In your hometown?...why or why not?
Put yourself in the shoes of a public official and consider what types of issues that you would have to take into consideration before giving one of Christo's projects the green light...please explain.
Within our current system of Art, there are many other people involved besides the actual artist. Please give examples of others that contribute to a work of art being seen by the public.
In order to have a project on campus, it would depend on the location and the size of the project. Campus is usually a busy place and a large project being created would interrupt a lot of things. However, in my hometown we have a lot of available spaces. We have farm land and parks and open fields. Even in town, it does not get very busy so a project being created would not interrupt many people because they could just take a detour. Some other things that would need to be taken into consideration are the time length of the project, the weather and time of year that the project would be constructed during. Overall the full affect of the project would be amazing to see, and probably something that many people would remember for a long time.
ReplyDeleteNot only would the artist be a large factor in creating one of these projects, but many other people would need to help along the way. Security people would be necessary to keep distractions from getting in the way of the creation. People need to bring the materials, fabrics and things into the area. Not only the people bringing the materials, but the people making the materials. So it would take a lot more people than just the two artists.
A project on campus...why not?! I love the project named "The Gates" which was made for central park in New York city.
ReplyDeleteOfcourse we've got little less space here, but it would be so much more fun to walk around campus with all the bright colors surrounding you. Ofcourse campus is a busy place and to set up this project might couse some interruptions. Some other things that would need to be taken into consideration are the time of year because of the big changes in the weather in Pennsylvania. But if you would do a project like this, people would certainly remember it as something positive. Then ofcourse, there are many other people involved besides the actual artist(s). First of all, people would have to make the materials for the huge 'flags' and others need to set up a plan for the locations. Then you might also need people to take care of the project once it is already there.
I honestly believe that a project like this would work on a place like our campus!
I think a project on campus should only be done if it does not interrupt anyone. If it could somehow be done without being a distraction, I would be for it. Things such as the seasons would need to be taken into consideration, but this would be a plus because summer is the not only the best time to do a project like this, but also the least busy season on our campus. People would need to be involved for every task except the actual artwork, such as bringing supplies, getting locations ready, etc. I think if the project could be done without being a large distraction,it would be good.
ReplyDeleteSome of the projects done by Christo are fantastic but I think having an large scale project on campus would not be practical because there is limited walking space as there is with so many students at our university. It would be nice to see such a large scale project back in my hometown though. Like Bethany I to live where there is plenty of farm land and parks. Having such a unique piece of art in my neck of the woods would be truly wonderful. I think if the large scale project is put near a building or park that doesn't get a lot of attention that might change that!
ReplyDeleteNow some things that need to be taken into consideration would be making sure there is an adequate amount of space for the project. Besides space the artist needs to take into account if he needs helpers and how many, the time frame given, and what materials are needed. I think after all of those details are taking care of the project can be created.
Ummmmmmm, a project on the campus. ill love it. i like 2 draw my self and to do something on the campus 4 everyone to see would be fun. BUT... would people partisapate. if the project is big, would people give us the space? if the project is long, would people give us the time? like morals painted on a wall, i love them, i think they bring out the block, but its hard to get them done because, people dont want paint on there houses. so on my behave i would love project on the campus, but we would just need da right connections
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I would like to say I really like the idea of these works of art on campus. As far as mobility goes, I don't see a huge issue. I have not had trouble getting around the snow on campus, so I don't think art would be any different. I don't think it would hurt to spend a little more time thinking on the way to class while enjoying the surroundings. I think it should be taken into consideration that we all become part of the artwork once it is created, and that it should have qualities inclusive of everybody.
ReplyDeleteIt would certainly take the help of many people to complete the project. But... besides helping hands, I think think it would be most important to have a willing community to put up with the building time and space.
In my town, and in a neighboring town, there are huge paintings and sculptures on street corners and on the sides of buildings. I think it gives the public pride in the community, and as long as the work does not impose any particular political or religious views, I think it is great. I definitely think a project like this is possibility on a college campus, and there is no question in my mind that it would be a positive addition to any community.
-Andrew Arter
I think a project on campus would be very exceptable. It would allow more people to see art and really get to experience it being created in front of their very eyes.
ReplyDeleteChristo and Jeanne Claude's idea behind huge art is to gain consciousness to people. Creating a weirdly beautiful massive piece of art gives people more then a memory of site. It gives you the memory of an emotion combined with feeling...very powerful. Totally would love to experience that.
I wouldn't care either way if there was more art on campus, Also it would depend on what type of prject they are looking to do, I've been on campus for almost 4 years now and some of the art i've seen make no sense to me what so ever why it is here, but i'll agree there is some art that is interesting, so i think before a project like this the whole town and communtiy would have to get together and decide as one what they would want
ReplyDeleteIf there was a project started on campus, i think it would be pretty cool. From what I saw today in class, like some of the examples of large structures, that would be be pretty cool to see, or even watch the person making the art live. With Christo and Jeanne Claude's views being very people interactive, I think it could help our campus. I've lived here for twenty years and I've seen the way this town has gone up and down, and It maybe something from their point of view could be good for us, as well as entertaining and educational.
ReplyDeleteI personally would not mind having a project started on campus. It wiykd be very entertaing. But i also believe the people of the community would have to be asked. It would be a big deal. It could end up being a big distraction to students and professors. There is not much art around where I am from. So it would be cool to see here. Not only the artist would be involved, security and maybe some art majors could lend a helping hand.
ReplyDeleteI love being surrounded by art. And this campus could use some colors, too. So I think an artwork, like Christo´s would be great for this campus. It would also give IUP a lot of attention from the media. And this would cause more people to come to IUP to study. Art is inspiration. And inspiration is always good when you are studying.
ReplyDeleteBack in my home town of Oosterbeek, The Netherlands, a project like this would be great too. We have a lot of artists coming to Oosterbeek each year, because Oosterbeek is where (back in 1942) the Battle of Arnhem was fought and Oosterbeek is a beautiful place to paint. Oosterbeek and Art are a good match and eventhough Oosterbeek is beautiful, it could be even more beautiful with art!
I don't necessarally believe a campus wide or even a large scale artwork in my hometown would be a bad idea, I believe that two stipulations should be meet first. First of all, a vote should take place approving of the size and details of the piece of art to be constructed. Second of all the finished piece of art should not be allowed to interfere with normal activity. If the vote passes and it will not interfere in anyway, I would be all for the idea. Officials may be concerned with the cost, materials and if any maintenance is necessary, also if it causes a threat to anyone.
ReplyDeleteI do not think it would be a good idea to have a massive piece of art like these on campus. If it were smaller scale than I would say yes, but having something that large is going to just get in the way. However, back in my home town of Pittsburgh it would be great. There is art all over downtown and I feel it would be accepted and liked by lots of people. I also agree that if its going to be a massive piece of artwork that is going to change peoples day to day schedule than it should be decided upon a vote. As long as the people want it than I say go for it!
ReplyDeleteI would like to see some more art on campus. As of right now i know there are maybe one or two piecs, one is infront of the HUB. Personally I'd enjoy something like a mural. I don't think anything massive would be right for our campus but just something small and mild for people to enjoy. I also agree that more color on campus would be nice to see.
ReplyDeleteA display of a piece of artwork on campus would be more than acceptable. I mean even now when you walk around from class to class you already see statues/monuments of different peoples artwork so why would a painting or something be any different?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kedrick that this campus in some way needs brightened up with alot more color!!!
I think a campus project would be a good idea. And if it would be rediculously large in scale or colorful, the better. It means people will notice it more, and that's the whole point. I really like the big statue at Carnegie Mellon with the kids walking upwards on a pole, and everyone notices it. If we had more art work on campus it would give the campus more character.
ReplyDeleteI belive that a project on campus is just what this university needs. The addition of a object that can be cherished for generations is something that has been long due. I have a great deal of respect for earth art and the time it take to construct something of such a large scale.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of being surrounded by art not just in museums or on walls but in everyday life. So i'd definitely love the thought of there being a large scale environmental piece on campus. There are however a lot of problems and i don't think it would work out. Firstly, it would cost a lot and take up a lot of material that would just end up being thrown away. Secondly, Iup is a party school and as much as i hate to think it, some of our students don't have enough respect, i think it would be damaged one way or another. I think those types of pieces are a better fit in a city where there are enough people seeing it to warrant the cost, or out in the middle of nowhere like the never ending fence or the spiral island where they won't be damaged.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of creating a project for our campus. It would be fascinating to have such great artist come to our campus and create a
ReplyDeletebeautiful scene. Also, I understand that it would be a big project to plan and prepare, but with all the construction being done right now, I believe our campus would be able to overcome the amount of work it would
take. However, I don’t think such a big project would work well in my hometown. It is an extremely busy built up area and it would cause a lot of troubles for for everyone, not to mention there isnt any room for their work. I believe Christo and Jeanne Claude's art would be the best represented in big cities or college scenes.
I think it would be very interesting to see something go up on campus like that. Its usually done in big cities so it would be neat to see something like that go up in Indiana, since nothing really happens hear. We need to dress this campus up more because there isnt really thing happening in the oakgrove and colors would be perfect, expecially since it snows here a lot i think it would look really good.
ReplyDeleteI think having a priject done on campus would be a good thing because it would give the campus more of a look. you dont usually see big art projects done in small cities like Indiana. It would give Indiana a different view.
ReplyDeleteI Think that it would be a good idea to have a large scale project on our campus. It would love nice in the oak grove. Being there i think it would give a lot of people the chance to recognize art. without making them go to a museum or gallery.As for back in the home town, i dont think it would work.
ReplyDeleteI like steve's idea about doing a campus project but it would probally be difficult to get funding for it.
ReplyDeleteI would honestly like the idea of something like this on campus. I think it would give us something else to look at and add some flavor to the place. I agree in saying that it woudl be difficult to get funding for it but I would like to have somehting like these on campus or even my home town. My home town is not to big and not to small and a project would atract some attention to the place.
ReplyDeleteHaving a Christo and Jeanne-Claude art work done on our campus would be pretty sweet. I think that it gives a place more of a name and reputation to others, not to mention more color and personality. Certain colors and shapes of objects can have a possitive effect on peoples' attitudes/mood. The artwork could possibly cheer people up and give them something different and exciting in their bland everyday lives. To have a project like this going on would take various people to help make the artwork a work in progress. All students and faculty would have to make their way around the workers and all of the hustle and bustle. Christo and Jeanne-Claudes artworks are very big and require a lot of materials and not to mention workers working day and night. It would take hours upon end to make sure that the work is completed perfectly, and we can not forget security to make sure the iup students wont try to vandalize it in any way, or catch it on fire like the couches during the superbowl weekend haha. Nevertheless, it wold take hard work and patience, but I believe it would be an awesome and possitive idea to bring into our campus.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I live in a small town called Johnstown, I believe it also would be a great idea to have this artwork around downtown Johsntown and the parks in the community. Anyone who has ever been to johsntown knows that downtown Johnstown and the old Steel Mills are very broke down and bland looking. It's not the happening and busy place that it used to be. So bringing this into my community would really brighten it up and give another name to be known by other than for our floods, old Mills, and inclined plane. It also would require a lot of personales, help from the community, and endless work.
wowwwww i didnt realize how much i typed.
ReplyDeleteI don't see why having an art work of this scale would be a problem on campus or in the town of Indiana. It seems like it would be a great idea. I know from experience with the borough of Indiana that they would never let something like that happen, but it could be possible on campus. I agree with the rest of the class that it would have to be done at a time that it wasn't inconveniencing anyone with getting to class or things like that.
ReplyDeleteIf I was the one that was giving the permission to have a project like this go on in my town I would set up some rules to follow, such as only being able to work in areas when it is not causing a problem for others, also I would have to get the approval of the town as to not piss anyone off and to keep my job. Obviously there would have to be safety concerns and much more before a green light was given.
Well the people who make the artists brushes, paint, canvases, are all part of the art work being seen by the public. The public itself is part of it. Without the public there would be no one to see the art. The objects and people around the artist contribute by giving him or her ideas on how to express things in their art and how it is going to look in the end. Just about everyone in someway contributes to the art work being seen by the public.
i was very interested in the "obey" and "Obama" posters. i would say that they were very meaningful to me, they both send out positive messages and gives everybody the ability to say want they want, (freedom of speech). it also tells the generation that change is here. and that its no need to wait.to me i think this was very unqiue.
ReplyDeleteA large-scale installation on this campus would be great. I think that regardless of season, time, and space, the IUP campus would be a great place to place one of these installations as it would make the campus much more enjoyable and probably much nicer to walk around. Of course setting up a work of this magnitude would have some negatives such as the disruption of daily life of people on campus. But when one thinks about it campus has been half closed off over the last few years from all the new buildings, so if something aesthetically appealing was to come up rather than some building, I would have no problem with the disruption of campus normality.
ReplyDeleteIt would take a number of people for such a project to get approved. The artists, the people who will actually put up the installation, the people to guard it, the administration that would have to approve it, and the municipality.