Like an Upward Waterfall

It was the day after Christo and Jeanne-Claude had opened the finished Little Bay project, Wrapped Coast. There had been rain and extreme winds overnight and the morning radio programmes were talking of how the project was “ruined”. I dropped my daughters off at school and decided I really must see Little Bay.

It was grey, cold and still very windy. I saw one person and went over. It was Jeanne-Claude, who said that Christo was very upset because his dream was spoiled—I saw him in the distance talking to a reporter.

When I looked around I was amazed. The wind had ripped the plastic covering the cliffs.

The sea was pounding in and, as the wind lifted under the plastic it gave the extraordinary impression that the sea was running up the cliffs. Like an upward waterfall.

I said to Jeanne-Claude, “How can you be upset with that? It is spectacular. Stunning!” But, I guess, it wasn’t what they had planned and dreamed of. I’m 81 now but I shall never forget it. Amazing!

– Patricia Dunn