Saturday, August 25, 2007

Artist: Christo and Jean Claude







Here is some artwork that is no longer with us. I vaguely remember seeing these giant yellow umbrellas in the hills, but not knowing that they were supposed to be art until many years after they were gone.

Christo and Jean Claude are a married couple who create a unique type of art together. Their projects are always vast and usually colorful. While part of me wonders what inspires people to do this type of thing, part of me is amazed at the result.

On a website dedicated to their work it says, "From October 9th, 1991 for a period of eighteen days, The Umbrellas were seen, approached, and enjoyed by the public, either by car from a distance and closer as they bordered the roads, or by walking under The Umbrellas in their luminous shadows.

In the California vastness of uncultivated grazing land, the configuration of the umbrellas was whimsical and spreading in every direction. The brown hills are covered by blond grass, and in that dry landscape, The Umbrellas were yellow.

The removal started on October 27 and the land was restored to its original condition. The Umbrellas were taken apart and all elements were recycled."

Do you think this qualifies as art? Do you think they should have taken them down?

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5 Comments:

Blogger Darragha! said...

They look like giant mushroom from the old Pat Boone movie, "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

Darr

6:13 AM  
Blogger Kate Willoughby said...

I vaguely remember that movie, but not the giant mushroom!

7:53 AM  
Blogger Laura Bacchi said...

I defintely think it qualifies. Although their big installations are only temporary, the process is important. And the drawings... God I wish I could draw like that.

5:57 PM  
Blogger Kate Willoughby said...

I continue to be awed by the majesty and scope of their work.

7:04 PM  
Blogger Lucie Simone said...

I wish we still had them here just for the shade! It's too damn hot!

1:38 PM  

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