On View
Not on viewObject number2001.57
Running Fence, Project for Sonoma County and Marin County, State of California
Artist
Christo
(American, 1935-2020)
Date1975
Mediumpencil, charcoal, and property map
Dimensionspanel 1: 42 in. × 8 ft. (106.7 × 243.8 cm)
panel 2: 14 in. × 8 ft. (35.6 × 243.8 cm)
frame: 45 1/2 in. × 8 ft. 3 in. × 3 in. (115.6 × 251.5 × 7.6 cm)
frame: 17 1/8 in. × 8 ft. 3 in. × 3 in. (43.5 × 251.5 × 7.6 cm)
panel 2: 14 in. × 8 ft. (35.6 × 243.8 cm)
frame: 45 1/2 in. × 8 ft. 3 in. × 3 in. (115.6 × 251.5 × 7.6 cm)
frame: 17 1/8 in. × 8 ft. 3 in. × 3 in. (43.5 × 251.5 × 7.6 cm)
Credit LineElisabeth Claire Lahti Fund
Exhibition History"Views of the American Landscape: Works from the Permanent Collection," KIA (Dec. 21, 2002 - Jan. 12, 2003).
"Large Format Works on Paper," KIA Galleries 3&4 (June 27 - Sept. 2, 2003).
"A Legacy for Kalamazoo: Works Acquired through the Elisabeth Claire Lahti Fund, 1998 - 2012," KIA (Sept. 29, 2012 - Jan. 20, 2013).
"Lasting Legacy: A Collection for Kalamazoo," Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Michigan (Sep. 6, 2014 - Jan. 4, 2015).Label TextChristo and his wife/partner Jeanne-Claude collaborate to create temporary, large-scale and environmental works of art. Designed to disrupt one aspect of an existing environment, these installations force the viewer to perceive a space in a new way. After the artists conceptualize the work, preparatory studies and drawings like the one seen here for Running Fence are sold to raise money to finance the project. All installations are funded in this manner as Christo and Jeanne-Claude believe that accepting grants or donations would compromise their artistic freedom.
Running Fence was a triumph of engineering, design and political diplomacy. In preparation for the project, Christo and Jeanne-Claude worked with ranchers, local government and environmental groups for 3 ½ years. Completed on September 10, 1976, Running Fence was 18 ft. high, 24.5 miles long and made from 240,000 sq. yards of heavy woven white nylon fabric hung from steel cable strung between 2,050 steel poles. The project was dismantled after only 14 days and all materials were given to the 59 ranchers whose properties were crossed by this ambitious work of art.
