Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works in Progress with Q+A
One Week Until Christo and Jeanne-Claude Experience Asheville!
Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works in Progress with Q+A is Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
The Asheville Art Museum’s smArt speak: Distinguished Artist Series is pleased to present Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works in Progress with Q+A on Thursday, February 5th at 7:00 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
Join the conversation with Christo and Jeanne-Claude at the culmination of an exciting array of programming from the Asheville Art Museum’s smArt speak: Distinguished Artist Series. The talk Christo and Jeanne-Claude will give on Thursday, February 5th will center on their five decades of work together as well as works in progress. The extended question-and-answer period gives the audience the unique opportunity to delve into the minds of one of the most renowned artistic teams.
A lucky group that has purchased Patrons’ tickets will have a special dinner with Christo and Jeanne-Claude at S&W Steak and Wine following the lecture at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
Asheville has been surrounded by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in its own way with the Community Poster Installation Project. Signed and framed high-quality prints of the breathtaking projects have been installed in the windows of businesses around town and will be on view through February 15, 2009. For a more permanent view of these non-permanent works, you may purchase the print of your choice—signed by the artists and framed. For a map of the free, self-guided tour or more information on purchasing a print visit www.ashevilleart.org or call 828.253.3227.
Asheville and visitors have been getting an introduction to the innovative work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude at the Asheville Art Museum exhibition Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Projects which opened to an exhilarated crowd on Friday, January 16th. This exhibition will be on view through May 3, 2009.
To keep the experience fresh and exciting, the films Running Fence and The Gates will be screened in February. The film, Running Fence will be screened at the Asheville Art Museum on Saturday, February 14th and is free with Museum Membership or admission. The highly anticipated, rare screening of The Gates will be held at the Fine Arts Theatre in downtown Asheville on Thursday, February 19th at 7:00 p.m. Admission to The Gates will be $12 general admission, $10 for Members, seniors and students. Don’t miss it on the big screen!
The Asheville Art Museum, along with co-sponsor UNCA Office of Cultural & Special Events, brings internationally acclaimed artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude to Western North Carolina audiences. This lecture is a part of the Musuem’s ongoing 60th Anniversary Celebration. The artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude are known for temporary works of art that reflect and reinterpret their surroundings. The Asheville Art Museum’s theme for their visit is “Art and Its Environment.”
Previous projects include The Running Fence in California, Surrounded Islands in Florida, The Umbrellas, Japan – U.S.A, and The Gates in New York City’s Central Park.
ARTISTS LECTURE
Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works in Progress with Q+A
Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Tickets available at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Box Office. $28 General Admission, $14 Students and $24 Museum Members.
Additional Ticket Information: In person, during box office hours, some additional fees apply. Online, www.ticketmaster.com, per ticket and per order processing fees apply. Charge-by-Phone, 828.251.5505, per ticket and per order processing fees apply.
Related Programs:
EXHIBITION
Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Projects
January 16 – May 3, 2009
Free with Museum Membership or Admission
Gallery 6
This exhibition offers audiences the chance to see the artistic process behind many of the monumental public art projects undertaken by the Christos during the past five decades.
DISPLAY
Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Community Poster Installation Project
January 15 – February 15, 2009
Free, self-guided tour
An installation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude posters in the windows of area businesses.
FILM SCREENING
Christo in Paris (1990)
January 29 — Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
North Asheville Library
Free
Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize and Winner of the Cinematography Award at Sundance Film Festival in 1991, Christo in Paris follows Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s successful quest to wrap the Pont Neuf Bridge while also serving as springboard in which we learn biographical information about this dynamic husband-and-wife team.
FILM SCREENING
Running Fence
February 14 — Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Free with Museum Membership or Admission
Museum’s WNC Resource Center
This film documents the multi-year process of the creation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Running Fence, a 24-mile long, 18-foot high fabric “fence” which spanned two counties in California. Beautifully photographed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, this film speaks to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s powerful transformative effects on community.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Public Art in Asheville
February 10 or 24: TBD — Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library
Free
The public art pieces in Asheville enliven our city, tell the story of local heritage and history, promote tourism, and put Asheville on the map as an arts destination. Diane Ruggiero, Superintendent of Cultural Arts for the City of Asheville, and members of the Public Arts Board will share their knowledge of Asheville’s public art collection and discuss the future of public art in Asheville.
SPECIAL FILM SCREENING
The Gates (2007)
February 19 — Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Fine Arts Theatre, Downtown Asheville
$12 General Admission
$10 Members, Students and Seniors
After 26 years of fighting bureaucracy, Christo and Jeanne-Claude succeeded in transforming 23 miles of New York City’s Central Park paths into a saffron-colored, snow-filled winter wonderland. This film by Antonio Ferrara and award-winning documentary pioneer Albert Maysles, follows the artists from project inception in 1979 through to its stunning completion. This special screening opportunity is highly anticipated.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Art in the Public Realm
May 3 — Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Free with Museum Membership or Admission
Museum’s WNC Resource Center
Join us for a lively afternoon discussion on the role of public art. Panelists will include renowned public projects artist Mel Chin, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Director and Chief Curator Hank Foreman, and others.
smArt speak, Asheville Art Museum’s Distinguished Artist Series, is sponsored by a grant from MetLife Foundation. Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works in Progress with Q+A is co-sponsored by UNCA Office of Cultural & Special Events. A series partner is the Buncombe County Library System. Additional partners are the University of North Carolina at Asheville and The Asheville School. In-kind sponsors include Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Haywood Park Hotel, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, S&W Steak and Wine and WCQS Public Radio.
For more information on Christo and Jeanne-Claude and related programs, or on the Asheville Art Museum and its smArt speak programs, please visit www.ashevilleart.org or www.smartspeak.org.
Asheville Art Museum
www.ashevilleart.org