A new roof was put on our home this week and my “no art background except for the fact that he’s been married to me for 39 years” husband’s observation, after stepping outside to view the work going on was, “Looks like Christo has been here.”
And indeed, much to my delight, it did.
And then I smiled, because how many retired military generals have any idea who Christo is?
I’ve long been an admirer of Christo’s art, ever since discovering a photograph of this piece while I was in college. He and his wife, Jeanne-Claude, create non-collectible art. It is designed to end.
It occurs to me that this was my first real exposure to public art……art done on a grand scale, put out in the world for people to see, not tucked away in a museum, where the observer has to make a conscious decision to view it.
I’ve been seeking out public art ever since, as well as often photographing buildings that have been shrouded for one reason or another. I’m drawn to how a space is changed when it is draped and how that space changes with the light in the course of a day.
In 2005 I had the opportunity to see a Christo/Jeanne-Claude work in person when The Gates were installed in Central Park. As I recall, my traveling companions were less than impressed; I was mesmerized.
So yes, I was thrilled to have my very own Christo/Jean-Claude happening going on around me a few days ago, even if my roofers had no clue what they had created for me, or why I was taking so many pictures of it.
One never knows what delights the course of an ordinary day will hold.
pauses&clicks 
Are Christo’s always orange?
You’ve given me a new way to look at the excess of CARS, covered with TARPS, all over my property these days. There are our 5 cars, for the people who live here. But then there is the Porsche my son has been restoring (since COLLEGE!!!). And the 1957 Thunderbird we are trying to sell for a friend. And the old Taurus that quit running but seems like it would be a good father/son project in just a couple of years. Oh, and the PT cruiser, which we drove up from California so our best friends who live in Spain could have their car up here when they visit. And then of course, there are the trailers. James is a custom home designer and builder so needs a work trailer AND, probably way more important, there is the Harley trailer! (I had to stand up and walk around for a bit after writing all of that.)
I’ve driven through parts of the country where this would be a common sight but where I live, not so much. My neighbors have to be about out of patience.
That’s it. I’m going Tarp Shopping! A different color for every vehicle. We’ll be a junk yard RAINBOW!
Christo you say? I better research for draping ideas!
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SO funny! I might be glad you’re not my neighbor but I’d love to come visit and shoot those tarps! With my camera, of course! If you click on the link about non-collectible art in the blog you’ll see more of Christo’s work…it’s not all orange!
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Really neat blog, Julie. Enjoyed it, but wrapping a building??
Sent from my iPad
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you have a wonderful perspective!
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