Last month, Christo—the infamous artist behind the still-tied-up-in-legal-proceedings “Over the River” public art installation planned for the Arkansas River—visited Colorado to give a few lectures and take a leisurely rafting trip down Bighorn Sheep Canyon where his two-week art project will (eventually) be displayed. I was lucky enough to be invited on the excursion with the artist and his team, but a stomach bug kept me at home. Luckily, they were willing to share a few photos and a short clip from that bluebird day. (Click through the slideshow above.)

“Over the River” has been cleared for construction by the Federal Government, Colorado State Parks, the Bureau of Land Management, and Fremont County (where most of the project will be installed). But the Bulgarian artist—who started the project with his now-deceased wife Jeanne-Claude—is still waiting for legal decisions regarding “challenges filed against the state and federal governments for permits.”

Christo (center) on the Arkansas River, a section of which will be covered with silvery fabric as part of his “Over the River” two-week public art piece—if it ever clears all its legal hurdles. (Photo courtesy of Echo Canyon River Expeditions)
Christo explains his vision for “Over the River.” (Photo courtesy of Christo, Over the River)
Christo (center, front) experiencing rapids on the Arkansas River. (Photo courtesy of Echo Canyon River Expeditions)
Christo (right) met with Governor Hickenlooper while he was in town. (Photo courtesy of Christo, Over the River)
“Over The River” life-size test. (Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Volz. © Christo 1999)
Drawing by Christo and Jeanne-Claude of “Over the River” (Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Volz, © Christo 2007)
Christo (center) on the Arkansas River, a section of which will be covered with silvery fabric as part of his “Over the River” two-week public art piece—if it ever clears all its legal hurdles. (Photo courtesy of Echo Canyon River Expeditions)
Christo explains his vision for “Over the River.” (Photo courtesy of Christo, Over the River)
Christo (center, front) experiencing rapids on the Arkansas River. (Photo courtesy of Echo Canyon River Expeditions)
Christo (right) met with Governor Hickenlooper while he was in town. (Photo courtesy of Christo, Over the River)
“Over The River” life-size test. (Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Volz. © Christo 1999)
Drawing by Christo and Jeanne-Claude of “Over the River” (Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Volz, © Christo 2007)

Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer is an award-winning writer and editor based in Denver. You can find more of her work at daliahsinger.com.