Floating Piers Pop Art Installation Like No
A golden three kilometer long path stretches across the lake to the island of San Palo providing visitors the feeling of walking on water.
“They will feel the movement of water under foot”, Christo tells The New York Times. “It will be very sexy, a bit like walking on a water bed.”
The impressive Floating Piers walkway is made out of 200,000 high-density polyethylene cubes and is covered with shimmery yellow fabric. The golden colour of the fabric creates dramatic contrast on the water’s surface and the surrounding green mountainous landscape.
Organises underestimated the popularity of the free installation, with over 270,000 people turning up in the first five days to experience it themselves. Cleaning and repairs were required, and lifeguards in boats were poised to collect anyone who accidentally feel into the water.
The artist hopes this experience encourages people to take in the simple joy of walking amidst the elements of nature more often.
“It’s the real thing. And it attracts people who really appreciate that,” 81-year-old Christo tells CNN. “For two to three kilometres there will be real wind, real sun, real water. It is all real. Jean-Claude and myself loved that,” he adds.
Unfortunately for many (including us!), this experience is short lived with The Floating Piers installation closing on July 3. “Our works are nomadic, just like people. They appear somewhere for a short time and then they are gone forever.”
Don’t be too disheartened if you missed out, Christo has eluded to future installations which are sure to be just as inspiring.
See more stunning photos of The Floating Piers here.
