In 1976, Christo's artistic white nylon fence rose from the Pacific Ocean at Bodega Bay, snaked across Marin ranchland to cross highway 101, and stopped in the wine country of Sonoma County.
Sausalito Presbyterian Church Art Exhibit for March 2010
Historic Sausalito Presbyterian Church is located at 112 Bulkley Avenue in Sausalito, one block above Sausalito's main street of Bridgeway. Attracting members from around San Francisco Bay, it is a regional church that emphasizes the arts, particularly music and visual arts. Sausalito Presbyterian has regularly hosted art exhibits each month since 2003 in downstairs Thomson Hall. The auditorium features hardwood floors, a grand piano and leaded glass windows showcasing a lovely view.
Louise Forbush, Curator of the Art Gallery, has chosen to exhibit the artwork of Running Fence-recycled from March 7 to May 3, 2010, with an opening reception Sunday, March 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is no cost to view the exhibit. The gallery is open on Sundays, but visitors can also call (415)332-3790 to make a private appointment to view the art.
"Running Fence" of Sonoma and Marin Counties, 1972-76
Christo and Jeanne-Claude's unusual project generated much controversy and international attention, though Running Fence was up for only two weeks in 1976. Afterward, Christo and Jeanne-Claude gave all fence materials, including the 2,050 panels, to the 59 ranchers who had allowed him the use of their land. Almost all have become lost through the years.
The fabric for the panels was a white nylon woven in a squared pattern that had originally been intended to make air bags for cars. However, Chrysler canceled the order and Christo was able to buy the material as a second for $300,000. He then commissioned J. P. Stevens and Co. to sew it into panels, including grommets on all four sides of each one to hook them to steel posts.
Running Fence-recycled Creates Fine Art From the Historic 'Running Fence' Panel Fabric
In 2001, Running Fence-recycled purchased 11 Running Fence panels from a fine art collector who had been storing them for years, and used them as raw material for new artworks. Independent artists partnered with Running Fence-recycled to make the fiberworks, leaving their individual stamp on each piece. The painters, craftsmen, and textile artists have created a rich and diverse body of artworks to please varied tastes, and each piece has a Certificate of Authenticity to verify the textile's origin.
Running Fence-recycled Artists
Contributing artists for the March 2010 show at the Sausalito Presbyterian Church include Claudia Chapline, owner of the Claudia Chapline Gallery in Stinson Beach, Joyce Goode, board member of the Textile Arts Council of San Francisco, and regionally acclaimed painter, Kay Carlson. Regula Allenspach Weill of Fiber Dimensions, Liz Berg, Scott Cilmi, Stephen Hall, Janelle McKellar, Libby Mills, Cheryl Smith, Susi Thomas and Susan Trott are also represented in the exhibit.
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