The Running Fence: Process vs. Final Product
The Running Fence is a process-based artwork created by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, which started in 1972 until it was taken down after being completed for two weeks in 1976. When the artwork was initially proposed, many people disagreed with the concept of it and wanted to prevent the execution of the work, as it is unlike any piece of traditional art that ordinary people have experienced before. People were quick to accuse the proposal, claiming it to be tasteless, pointless, and a waste of time and money. On the contrary, this work is so much more than a simple physical structure in space. When one looks beyond the fact that the work is only a colossal fence, one will begin to understand that this work brings together a whole community and shows everyone the pure essence of humanity and the beauty and nuances of the community—whether it be the people or the surrounding landscape—that people fail to realize upon first glance.
This work utilizes 5 of the 13 content carriers: accompanied text, medium, scale, duration, and context. The title of the piece is called Running Fence, which helps describe what the colossal structure is: it is a fence that runs along the hills of the Sonoma and Marin Counties in California for 24 miles. The name also gives the work an active image, as it runs from one place to the next; it is more than just a stagnant object that is taking up space. The running image is also used to outline one of the purposes of the work: to show the beauty of the context that it is in—the landscape—as the fence runs along the hills. Christo and Jean-Claude specifically chose that particular area to execute their work because of the rolling hills and the sheer beauty of the yellowing country landscape that is juxtaposed by the vast azure Pacific. The physical object itself—the white curtains—emphasizes the colors of the sky as the sun rises and sets, and the movement of the curtains shows the movement of the wind as it passes through. Just the fact that this work is a structure shows that it is something to be beheld by the audience, as it something that is physically in existence rather than an abstract concept. The vastness of the fence helps emphasize the beauty of the area: it is so much more than just a small snippet land, but it’s really the whole landscape that is beautiful. The duration of the work also adds meaning to the work. By taking a few years to set up, it really allows the community members to work the land and really appreciate the landscape. The two weeks that it is up allows the public to take notice of the work as well as all that surrounds it, as the fence runs along the natural contours of the hills. Once the work is taken down, it really allows everyone to see the land in a different way than before and truly appreciate the land for what it is.
Even though there seems to be a large emphasis in the final product of art, I believe that some of the content is also rooted in the process of creating the art. Christo and Jeanne-Claude toured the west coast and settled with that specific spot; the process of selection shows that careful consideration was given before choosing a spot for the execution of the work. The process of getting the work to be adopted by the community also adds to the content of the work. The struggle with the town council and with the law was necessary to juxtapose with the achievement that came afterward. Later, by bringing the whole community together (another point of scale) to work on this project, it emphasizes the collaborative efforts of humanity as it attempts to achieve a large task that cannot be achieved by one person alone. The process during the execution of the work would consist of a couple years of physical labor in the land. All in all, I think approximately 70% of the work is rooted in the materiality while 30% of the work is rooted in the process.
Process is a very interesting factor in a piece of art. Many people are only focused on the final product, yet there is so much that happens during the course of the creation that adds to the meaning of a piece of work. By knowing the background information of a work, understanding the conception of the particular work, and keeping in mind all that the work has been through during its creation, so much content can be added to the work of art.
I actually really enjoyed getting to know this piece of art. I suppose you can say I am very naïve: in the past I never quite appreciated forms of visual or conceptual art, as I never really saw a purpose in it. Yet, as we’re learning that the beauty of a piece of art does not merely lie in a final visual product, I have to say that it’s been a very eye-opening experience for me. By watching the documentary of the Running Fence, I’ve grown to appreciate that piece of art and all the work that was put into it. And I suppose the same can be said for music: I never quite appreciated contemporary music, but by understanding the importance of knowing the many aspects of content, I don’t think I can ever see music the same as I used to see it.
This work utilizes 5 of the 13 content carriers: accompanied text, medium, scale, duration, and context. The title of the piece is called Running Fence, which helps describe what the colossal structure is: it is a fence that runs along the hills of the Sonoma and Marin Counties in California for 24 miles. The name also gives the work an active image, as it runs from one place to the next; it is more than just a stagnant object that is taking up space. The running image is also used to outline one of the purposes of the work: to show the beauty of the context that it is in—the landscape—as the fence runs along the hills. Christo and Jean-Claude specifically chose that particular area to execute their work because of the rolling hills and the sheer beauty of the yellowing country landscape that is juxtaposed by the vast azure Pacific. The physical object itself—the white curtains—emphasizes the colors of the sky as the sun rises and sets, and the movement of the curtains shows the movement of the wind as it passes through. Just the fact that this work is a structure shows that it is something to be beheld by the audience, as it something that is physically in existence rather than an abstract concept. The vastness of the fence helps emphasize the beauty of the area: it is so much more than just a small snippet land, but it’s really the whole landscape that is beautiful. The duration of the work also adds meaning to the work. By taking a few years to set up, it really allows the community members to work the land and really appreciate the landscape. The two weeks that it is up allows the public to take notice of the work as well as all that surrounds it, as the fence runs along the natural contours of the hills. Once the work is taken down, it really allows everyone to see the land in a different way than before and truly appreciate the land for what it is.
Even though there seems to be a large emphasis in the final product of art, I believe that some of the content is also rooted in the process of creating the art. Christo and Jeanne-Claude toured the west coast and settled with that specific spot; the process of selection shows that careful consideration was given before choosing a spot for the execution of the work. The process of getting the work to be adopted by the community also adds to the content of the work. The struggle with the town council and with the law was necessary to juxtapose with the achievement that came afterward. Later, by bringing the whole community together (another point of scale) to work on this project, it emphasizes the collaborative efforts of humanity as it attempts to achieve a large task that cannot be achieved by one person alone. The process during the execution of the work would consist of a couple years of physical labor in the land. All in all, I think approximately 70% of the work is rooted in the materiality while 30% of the work is rooted in the process.
Process is a very interesting factor in a piece of art. Many people are only focused on the final product, yet there is so much that happens during the course of the creation that adds to the meaning of a piece of work. By knowing the background information of a work, understanding the conception of the particular work, and keeping in mind all that the work has been through during its creation, so much content can be added to the work of art.
I actually really enjoyed getting to know this piece of art. I suppose you can say I am very naïve: in the past I never quite appreciated forms of visual or conceptual art, as I never really saw a purpose in it. Yet, as we’re learning that the beauty of a piece of art does not merely lie in a final visual product, I have to say that it’s been a very eye-opening experience for me. By watching the documentary of the Running Fence, I’ve grown to appreciate that piece of art and all the work that was put into it. And I suppose the same can be said for music: I never quite appreciated contemporary music, but by understanding the importance of knowing the many aspects of content, I don’t think I can ever see music the same as I used to see it.
Labels: Process, Running Fence
posted by DTang at
11:10 PM
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