Running Fence

Second in the series by the Maysles brothers documenting the monuments/sculptures of Christo, whose art projects are landscape-scaled, and more "pop" performance art designed to question how we relate to art in the public sphere, especially when it's as oblique, non-political (at least, that is what he would claim), and neutral as running a fence through a landscape.

Granted, this is about a 24-mile silk fence that runs through Marin and Sonoma countryside to the (and into the) sea, that Christo erected in the '70s. Much of the 58-minute running time it taken up by his local fights to get permits and permission to run through ranches, over roads, and into the beach property. In the process, there is actually very little discussion about what it all means - what Christo's stance or manifesto might be on the object.

There's some overheard conversations by the locals of whether or not it's "art" but the film isn't really interested in exploring or defending that. Instead it's an objective document of the engineering feat of doing this large project, against a deadline, with under-trained but willing local workers (whom all seem very gung-ho). Maysles's objective style serves the topic well. The fence was there for 2 weeks, and its mere presence challenges us as to how we think about it.

Is it sculpture? Is it decoration? Is it functional? In any case, it highlights the countryside like no other man-made object could. This film documents its creation in an unassuming and non-judgmental manner, and has some great footage of an event (or is it a "happening"?) that is lost to the ages.

Okay,I admit it:I have been a fan of Christo for some years now (I love the idea of textured art),since I saw photographs of some of his more controversial pieces (the wrapping of the Reichstag building in Berlin,Germany,etc.). In 'Running Fence',Christo & his long time life partner,Jeanne Claude are seen going through the long,involved process of applying for a permit to construct his pet project,The Running Fence,originally begun in 1972,and completed in 1976,and being fought tooth & nail by some of California's more closed minded philistines. Even after the permit is awarded to Christo & Jeanne Claude,the locals threaten legal action if the fence is constructed outside of the legal limits originally set fourth. David & Albert Maysles & Charlotte Zerwin (Gimmie Shelter)turn their camera on all of the b.s. that Christo & Jeanne Claude have to go through for art,in their usual non narrative style,in this short (only about 58 minutes)documentary film that shows how perseverance wins out. Mainly spoken in English,but does have some French with English subtitles. Not rated by the MPAA,this film has a bit of rude language,but pretty much nothing else to offend the eye.

I am unable to write a review because no matter what I do, I can't access the film.