Christo: Running Fence: Sonoma and Marin Counties, California 1972-76

Published in 1978 and limited to 2159 total copies, the deluxe first editions of Running Fence were numbered and signed by the artist. It is hardbound with white cloth boards and measures 11" x 12" x 3". It is has a hard slip case, and at 695 pages, it weighs nearly 12 pounds.About the project: "In 1973, after 17 stateless years, Christo became a United States citizen. That same year, he began preparations for Running Fence: a veiled fence, made from steel posts and steel cables, running through the landscape and leading into the sea. The fence was to be 5.5 meters high and 40 kilometers long. For the project, agricultural workers needed to be convinced and the permission of the authorities had to be obtained, so Christo and Jeanne-Claude hired nine lawyers. At the end of 1974 Christo marked the path of the fence with wooden stakes. On 29 April 1976 the work finally began after a long struggle against bureaucracy. Approximately 200,000 square meters of nylon, 2050 steel posts and 145 km of steel cable were needed. On 10 September 1976 the work was completed. However, Christo and Jeanne-Claude had to pay a $60,000 fine, because they lacked permission for the coastal region" (Wikipedia). This book documents that journey down to the smallest detail. Featured are a chronology of the project, fact sheet, Christo's public art, his vision of Running Fence, the search for the site, attempts to rally support, the communities and people involved, the legal battle that ensued, an environmental impact report, testimony from public hearings, detailed construction reports, and tons of photographs that show the early drawing of the project, letters, detailed maps and construction plans--also bound in the book is a piece of the actual white nylon used in the installation.