Jeanne-Claude and Christo's yellow umbrellas

Back in the fall of 1991, the hillsides on both sides of Interstate 5 through the Tejon Pass were dotted with yellow umbrellas. The huge nylon canopies were part of a joint installation with another exhibit featuring blue umbrellas in Japan, both conceived by the artist Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude, who died Wednesday in New York after a brain aneurysm. She was 74.

Unfortunately, on Oct. 26, 1991, sudden high winds caused one of the 485-pound yellow umbrellas to blow over and fall on Lori Keevil-Mathews of Camarillo, killing her. The artists ordered the installation dismantled after the accident.

Thousands of people flocked to the Tejon Pass to see the umbrellas. Were you one of them? What did you think of them?

Update: Click here to see more photos of the artists and their work.

-- Claire Noland

Photo: Aerial view of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's umbrella project near Gorman, Calif., in October 1991. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Greg]

Yes I saw them, couldn't help it as I traverse the 5 through Tejon. It was a great example of the self-important stupidity that is constantly perpetrated in the name of "art." A couple of rich jerks doing things for the glorification of their own massive egos instead of using their funds in a productive manner to help society as a whole; and act in itself which I believe constitutes exceptional performance art.

[Kay Gooding]

I eagerly awaited the umbrellas for many months and was completely overwhelmed when I saw them. I still have the poster sold on site which I had framed and look at with wonderful memories of a once-in-a-lifetime event. The death of a fellow visitor marred the umbrellas lasting as long as meant to, and was a horrible tragedy, but everyone who saw them I'm sure was as moved as I was by this remarkable couple who brought so many visual treasures to the world.

[SmartAssProducts.com]

Yes, we saw them. I still have my commemorative mug around here somewhere...probably still in a box in the garage after moving back to CA from out of state! Anyway, the umbrella display was interesting and kind of awe-inspiring, but puzzling too. Like, "is this supposed to be profound?!" The day we were there it was extremely windy and actually quite cold, yet there were droves of people taking in the view.

[susan]

indeed i trekked out to see the artistry of the yellow umbrellas placed upon the rolling hills here in so. california, on that last day they were available to be seen. in a word, it was simply: magical

sadly, the winds that are part of our climate here claimed someone's life that day, by toppling one of those magical umbrellas. that accident was so very sad. especially for the family who lost one of their members.

but still, it was one of the more magical moments of my life to have had the opportunity to see those yellow umbrellas all those years ago.

[Jaye B.]

I thought they were incredibly beautiful. They transformed the landscape like wildflowers in bloom.

[Jan]

Yes, I drove through the Gorman pass when this installation was up.

And, I was living in Sonoma County '1973' when Christo installed the Valley Curtain, running from Santa Rosa to the Pacific Ocean, through two counties, Sonoma-Marin Counties.
It is amazing, the effect that the large scale art installations have.

Peace in Eternity to his wife,

Jan McNeilly
Palm Desert, Ca

[Jan]

Correction to my post

It was the "Running Fence" in 1973 through through Sonoma-Marin Counties.
Witnessing his projects was a thrill.

Jan McNeilly
Palm Desert, Ca

[Me too]

I like the Greg's post. It's art but... I stumbled upon the unmberlla's when I went to visit my family. Kinda cool.

Saw the Valley Curtain too. It ran from 1972 to 1976. That was dumb.

How about the island?? Did you see pics of that...that was cool!!!

[Ruby Jackson]

I loved the umbrellas. They looked like buttercups that had sprung up all over the hillside. I was lucky enough to know someone with a private plane, so we flew over them the first day and saw the entire installation, random and pretty. Just like in the photo. Then, the next day, we drove through the pass, stopping to take pictures. I was so overwhelmed with joy and inspired by their beauty, I stripped naked right there and had my picture taken under one of the umbrellas! (Of course, I have noooo idea where that photo is now!)

[kyra smith]

Whenever I drive throught the Tejon Pass I remember the umbrellas. For me Christo's art is as long lasting as any other art form. I also loved the Gates in Central Park, which changed forever how I view Central Park when I am there. It was a wonderful place for those few weeks in February. It is art for art's sake only, not to make any statements. It is just art...to be enjoyed.

[lk]

lived in nyc during the gates. they were glorious-especially in the snow.

[John]

Sure, I saw them, and have to admit I was somewhat underwhelmed. For Jaye B. to compare them to the wildflowers blooming along the Tejon Pass is certainly misleading. When the wildflowers bloom, the whole hillsides explode in a variety of colors, purples and oranges and yellows. The umbrellas were novel, to be sure, but nothing in comparison to when nature puts on a show for us. But they were fun for a while, at least until they killed someone.

[Claire Noland]

Thanks for all your comments. You can see more photos here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-jeanne-claude-obit-pictures,0,167218.photogallery

[Dawn]

I was living in LA at the time, a young 27 year old. A group of us packed up the car full of goodies and travled to see the umbrellas. It may sound quite quaint and simple, yet they were so beautiful given the color and the landscape. I remember being so moved that I was covered in goosebumps.
Now living in Dallas, it is one of those memories that shall forever remain in my mind.....

[Stephanie Stassel-Bluestein]

I visited the umbrellas three times, twice on the ground and once by helicopter. Although Christo said it was supposed to be viewed at ground level, I thought it was amazing to see them from the air. Growing up in Bakersfield, we visited my grandma in the San Fernando Valley several times a year so the Tejon Pass is quite familiar to me. It was exciting to see all the attention thrust upon this area--the people who were married under the umbrellas, the Okie Girl restaurant with its special umbrella label beer.

I was working at the L.A. Times Valley Edition at the time and it was a big deal. The newspaper even rented a cabin in Frazier Park so reporters could be closer to the action. It was heartbreaking the way it ended.

[Diane]

I saw the umbrellas every day as I traversed the Tejon Pass to and from work; to this day I can't figure out why they were called "art".

[Sally]

RE: Greg's sad, angry comment:
Christo and Jeanne-Claude will be remembered long beyond most of us. By the way, they were not rich but sold their art to pay for such installations, which everyone could enjoy for free. Have you ever done that? Another thing they did was involve whole communities in their work. An early, "small" project in Kansas City, covering a park's sidewalks with golden, shimmering cloth, involved women from the town sewing the cloth on site with their treadle sewing machines. Just like the men who built the St. Louis Arch, participants in Christo & Jeanne-Claude's projects will never forget the experience. Art causes us to pause and wonder and remember. Hence, it changes us.