The 1970s were a dynamic and productive decade for Christo and Jeanne-Claude, marked by a series of large-scale environmental projects that solidified their reputation as pioneering artists. During this period, they expanded their practice to include massive temporary installations that engaged with both natural landscapes and urban environments, pushing the boundaries of art and public interaction. "Valley Curtain" (1970-1972): One of their first major projects of the decade, "Valley Curtain," involved suspending a 200,200 square foot orange curtain across Rifle Gap in Colorado. The installation spanned a valley between two mountain slopes and required extensive engineering and collaboration with construction workers and engineers. Despite facing setbacks, including the curtain being torn down by wind shortly after its installation, "Valley Curtain" highlighted the duo's determination and ability to execute complex logistical projects. The installation stood for only 28 hours but left a lasting impact on the landscape and the field of environmental art (The Art Story) (Artland Magazine). "Running Fence" (1972-1976): Perhaps one of their most ambitious projects, "Running Fence" consisted of a 24.5-mile-long white nylon fabric fence that stretched across the rolling hills of Sonoma and Marin Counties in California, ending in the Pacific Ocean. The project required negotiations with 59 ranchers and various local authorities, as well as overcoming legal challenges. "Running Fence" was on display for just 14 days, but its scale and the extensive public engagement it generated underscored Christo and Jeanne-Claude's commitment to creating ephemeral works that transform the landscape and provoke public dialogue (Wikipedia) (Artnet News). "Wrapped Walk Ways" (1977-1978): In this project, Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapped 2.7 miles of walkways in Kansas City's Loose Park with 135,000 square feet of saffron-colored nylon fabric. The installation created a striking visual path through the park, inviting visitors to experience the familiar environment in a new and engaging way. "Wrapped Walk Ways" emphasized the duo's interest in transforming public spaces and encouraging interaction with art in everyday settings (The Art Story) (Artland Magazine). "Surrounded Islands" (1980-1983): Although technically completed in the early 1980s, the planning and preparation for "Surrounded Islands" began in the late 1970s. This project involved surrounding 11 islands in Miami's Biscayne Bay with 6.5 million square feet of pink woven polypropylene fabric. The installation drew attention to the islands' contours and the relationship between land and water, transforming the natural landscape into a vibrant and immersive art piece (Artland Magazine) (Artnet News). Gallery Exhibitions and Smaller Works: Throughout the 1970s, Christo and Jeanne-Claude also continued to exhibit their preparatory drawings, sketches, and smaller wrapped objects in galleries around the world. These exhibitions were crucial for fundraising and building anticipation for their larger projects. They provided insight into the meticulous planning and conceptual development behind each installation, showcasing the duo's artistic process and vision (The Art Story) (Artland Magazine). "Wrapped Coast" (1969): Though completed at the end of the 1960s, "Wrapped Coast" set the stage for the ambitious projects of the 1970s. Located at Little Bay in Sydney, Australia, this project involved wrapping a 2.5-kilometer stretch of coastline with 1 million square feet of fabric and 35 miles of rope. The success and impact of "Wrapped Coast" demonstrated the feasibility and public interest in large-scale environmental art, influencing their future endeavors (The Art Story) (Artnet News). The 1970s were a period of significant artistic evolution and achievement for Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Their projects during this decade not only transformed landscapes but also challenged perceptions of art, space, and community engagement. Through their work, they demonstrated the power of temporary installations to create lasting memories and provoke thoughtful interaction with the environment.