Following the enormous success and sensation of Christo's and Jeanne-Claude's Gates project in Central Park, New York (February 2005), described as a 'defining moment in the City's cultural history', Annely Juda Fine Art presented a stunning group of over 35 collages and drawings for their project "Over the River: Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado".
As with their previous projects Over the River is a monumental feat of creativity, planning and organisation. Fabric panels suspended horizontally high above the water level followed the configuration and width of a 7 mile stretch of the river, over two consecutive weeks of any given year (2008 at the earliest). The preparatory works for any project are a crucial component of its creative development and provide the financial means for its ultimate realisation. These collages and drawing give an exciting impression of how the project will look and their display together was a unique opportunity to see the extent of the artists' vision.
Groundwork for Christo's and Jeanne-Claude's projects takes several years and the works in this exhibition date from 1992 to 2005. The effects of the fabric panels as seen from underneath and from above were beautifully recreated and Christo's topographical precision and artistic expression, combined with his use of different media, created a dynamic illusion of space and landscape.
