Married artists Christo (born Hristo Yavashev) and Jeanne-Claude (born Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon) are known for creating environmental installation art throughout the world. "The Umbrellas" project (pictured) was a temporary work of art that opened along an 18-mile stretch of Interstate 5 between Gorman and the Grapevine in which 1,760 yellow umbrellas were displayed on private and government-owned land. The color yellow was chosen to complement the landscape in which they were being placed - the amber colored grassy hills of the Tejon Ranch. From October 9th, 1991 and for a period of eighteen days, these umbrellas were seen, approached, and enjoyed by approximately 3 million people, either by car from a distance and closer as they bordered the roads, or by walking under The Umbrellas. It was truly a sight to be seen. Removal started on October 27th and the land was restored to its original condition. The Umbrellas were taken apart and all elements were recycled. Each umbrella measured 19ft. 8in. in height and 26ft. 5in. in diameter. The final cost of The Umbrella project totaled $26 million U.S. dollars.
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