20091119_jeanne-claude

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR. WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 2009

CONTACT Holly Shrewsbury, 720.320.0097, [email protected]

GOV. RITTER, SEN. SCHWARTZ STATEMENTS ON DEATH OF JEANNE-CLAUDE

Gov. Bill Ritter and state Sen. Gail Schwartz issued the following statements today about the death of acclaimed artist Jeanne-Claude, who most recently was working with her husband, Christo, on the “Over the River” project in Colorado’s Arkansas Valley:

“I’m saddened by the news about the passing of Jeanne-Claude. She was a wonderful woman and a gifted artist, and I extend my deepest condolences to her husband Christo and their family,” Gov. Ritter said. “Colorado has been incredibly fortunate to know Jeanne-Claude and Christo, first through their work on the Valley Curtain in the early 1970s. Recently, we have worked together on the proposed temporary work of art ‘Over The River’ in the Arkansas River Valley. Christo has said he is dedicated to completing this project, as Jeanne-Claude would have wished, and we look forward to continuing our work with him to bring their vision to reality.”

“Jeanne-Claude and Christo have made a global contribution with their art and we have been fortunate in Western Colorado to be a recipient of one of their earlier projects with the draping of Rifle Gap,” state Sen. Gail Schwartz said. “Most recently they have traveled the state presenting a concept of the ‘Over the River’ project for the Upper Arkansas. Together, they have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to community outreach as they developed the project concept and submit it for review. Their dedication to their art is admirable, and the scale of collaboration required for each work has been truly magnificent. The passing of Jeanne-Claude is a deep loss and we extend our sincere condolences to Christo and their family.”

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