It is the realization of a dream born sixty years ago.
Paris is preparing to wrap up the Arc de Triomphe, following the dictates left by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the couple of artists who have marked the history of contemporary art in Europe and in the world.
'L'Arc de Triomphe empaqueté (Projet pour Paris, Place de l'Étoile-Charles de Gaulle) - this is the original title of the project - will be visible from 18 September to 3 October 2021. An extraordinary sign of rebirth for the French capital which has always made culture the key to its success and has suffered more than others for the hard times of the pandemic.
In 1961, three years after their meeting in Paris, Christo and Jean-Claude began creating temporary works designed for public spaces. Thirty-six years ago, also in Paris, the two amazed the world by packing up the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in the city. But their projects didn't stop there. In 1962-63, Christo made a first photomontage with the packed Arc de Triomphe, seen from Avenue Foch, then, in 1988, a collage, before resuming the idea from 2017.
About 60 years later, Christo's Arc de Triomphe will become a reality. "It will be like a living object that will come alive in the wind and reflect the light. The folds will move, the surface of the monument will become sensual. People will want to touch the Arc de Triomphe," the artist once said. As he hoped, the posthumous project will be carried out by his team, in partnership with the Center for National Monuments and the support of the municipality of Paris. The Napoleonic Arch inspired by those of Ancient Rome will be covered by 25,000 square meters of recyclable silver polypropylene fabric and 3,000 meters of red recyclable ropes. As with any project by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, no public or private funding. The work will be entirely financed by the Estate Christo V.Javacheff, also thanks to the sale of his original works: collages and preparatory drawings, models, works from the 1950s-1960s and lithographs.
Born on June 13, 1935 in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, Christo Vladimiroff Javacheff passed away on May 31, 2020, at the age of 84, in New York. Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, born on the same day, June 13, 1935 in Casablanca, Morocco, instead passed away at the age of 74. Among the most spectacular creations, the walkway on Lake Iseo (Floating Piers, 2018) which had an extraordinary success with the public. In January 1974, Christo completely packed four arches of the Aurelian walls, at Porta Pinciana, in Rome, offering citizens and visitors to the Eternal City indelible memories between Villa Borghese and Via Veneto.
