Excerpted from a July 22 Denver Post editorial: The proposal by the artist Christo to drape fabric over 5.9 miles of the Arkansas River in Colorado is called “Over the River,” but we think it’s over the top.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has examined the idea and highlighted nine areas needing additional analysis, including the effects of the work on wildlife and its habitat.
We would add a 10th question: Is this really necessary?
The area between Salida and Cañon City is a scenic stretch that already attracts plenty of tourism, including rafters and fishing enthusiasts.
In our minds, draping fabric over the area would be akin to putting lipstick on a toddler and entering her in a pageant. . . . Leave her alone — she’s beautiful the way she is. …
We’re also concerned about the potential impact on wildlife and the environment, and glad Christo sought a stringent environmental review.
We realize that aesthetic decisions about art are “eye of the beholder” propositions. If “Over the River” were a show at a gallery, people could decide whether they’d like to partake.
But that’s not the case here. In pursuit of one vision of art, a lot of people and wildlife habitat would be imposed upon. We think that’s a bit much.
