Exhibit tracks flow of river project

Mary Voelz Chandler, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 12, 2006 at midnight

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Christo and Jeanne-Claude chose two types of images for "Over the River, a Work in Progress" on view at the Fremont Center in Cañon City.

They selected posters of many of their earlier projects (as well as Over the River) and 11 original pieces that interpret the artists' vision for panels of fabric that read as platinum from above and are translucent from below.

Several of the works are from 2006 and indicate increased articulation of the panels, show a better defined site, and include a swatch of silvery fabric that has been considered for the project.

The earliest piece on view dates from 1992, when the concept was merely called The River.

"This shows how the project has changed," said Christo. "From a clumsy way to very precise and elaborate."

Added Jeanne-Claude: "Then, we didn't have a river."

They had 89, in six Western states, a number culled to six rivers, and then one in late 1996, when the project was gaining its first round of steam.

Christo designed the Fremont Center exhibition from a floor plan of the center's main gallery. They also required a security guard be on duty, but in return offered to pick up the shipping cost of items that range from an unsigned poster for $40, to a signed poster for $250, to a large original piece on Over the River for $180,000.

Proceeds from poster sales go to the Fremont Center, and from originals to expenses associated with Over the River.

Christo & Jeanne-Claude

Over the River, a Work in Progress

• What: Eleven original preparatory works by Christo related to the proposed "Over the River" project, plus works of other large-scale installations by Christo and Jeanne-Claude

• Where and when: Fremont Center for the Arts, 505 Macon St., Cañon City; through Aug. 27

• Cost: $10 adults, $7 seniors and students with ID, $5 ages 13 through 18, free to members and children 12 and under

• Information: 1-719-275-2790

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