Well-known action artist Christo has died: he had one last wish

The well-known action artist Christo died in New York. Among other things, he caused a sensation by covering the Reichstag.

• The action artist Christo is dead. 
• He hid numerous well-known buildings in art actions .
• He also turned the Reichstag in Berlin into an art object.

Update, June 1, 8:14 a.m .: Christo will probably not be forgotten in Germany due to his veiling of the Berlin Reichstag in 1995. But for years the action artist also covered bridges and trees or laid a three-kilometer-long “floating piers” jetty on Lake Iseo in Italy (2019). Christo worked on his projects for decades with his wife Jeanne-Claude, who died in 2009. 

Christo was always active in Germany. He repeatedly participated in the Documenta in Kassel and created two projects for the gasometer in Oberhausen: "The Wall" (1999) and "Big Air Package" (2013).

The wrapping artist Christo died in New York before his 85th birthday on June 13. The cause of death is known. Christo died of natural causes on Sunday at the age of 84 in his New York apartment, according to his staff, who posted on the artist's official Facebook page.

Reactions to the death of artist Christo

"Christo lived his life to the fullest, not just inventing the unimaginable, but realizing it," explained his office. The federal government also recognized Christo's life's work. He "taught people around the world to see new and sharper," wrote Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters (CDU) in the online service Twitter. "The days of the veiled Reichstag with their character of a peaceful folk festival have become part of our collective social memory."

“Christo used his art of veiling to teach people around the world to see new and sharper. His installations have reached and excited millions of people. ”–Minister of Culture Monika # Grütters on the death of #Christo.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) said that Christo and Jeanne-Claude had "enriched our world with art". With the covering of the Reichstag, they would have “made a spectacular monument to our reunited country”. The veiled Reichstag attracted five million viewers at the time.

#Christo and Jeanne-Claude have enriched our world with art. The veiled Reichstag delighted millions and created a spectacular monument for our reunited country. Thank you for everything. After the death of Jeanne-Claude, Christo has also left us. Both are missing.

The Center Pompidou in Paris described Christo as a “magician” who had made a significant contribution to contemporary art. An exhibition about Christo and Jeanne-Claude was due to open at the Center Pompidou in March, but was postponed due to the corona virus. It should now be shown from July 1st.

C'est avec une vive émotion et une immense tristesse que nous apprenons la disparition de Christo avec qui nous avions passionnément travaillé pour l'exposition "Christo et Jeanne-Claude, Paris!". Elle ouvrira le 1er juillet et rendra hommage à son œuvre exceptionnelle. pic.twitter.com/D9zfd3lnWG

Christo's last major project was the veiling of the Parisian triumphal arch (see below). Despite his death, it will continue to be realized between September 18 and October 3, 2021, as Christo's office announced. The project was planned for this year, but was also postponed due to the corona pandemic.

Christo and his wife often took years to plan his costly mammoth projects, which were often only visible for a short time. In order to finance their works and to maintain their independence, Christo and Jeanne-Claude sold collages and drawings from the planning phases at high prices. 

Master of disguise: Christo has one last wish

Update, May 31, 22:59: Christ died in his New York apartment of a natural death , as its employees informed rushed. Bulgarian-born Christo Vladimirov Javacheff became world famous with the covering of the Berlin Reichstag in 1995 and the Pont-Neuf bridge in Paris. 

" Christo lived his life to the fullest, not only invented the unimaginable, but realized it," it said in a message from his office. It was Christo's wish to complete his current project - the veiling of the Parisian triumphal arch - it said The project actually planned for this year was postponed to September 2021 due to the corona pandemic .

Well-known action artist died - he drew attention to himself with a special action at the Reichstag 

First registration, May 31, 10:13 p.m .:

New York - He hid many famous buildings, including once before the Reichstag: Well, the artist Christo at the age of 84 years died . 

Christo tot - He drew attention to himself with a special campaign at the Reichstag

The death of the action artist was confirmed on Twitter . The report said that Christo passed away in his New York City home on Sunday (May 31) . 

Christo passed away today, on May 31, 2020, at his home in New York City. Christo and Jeanne-Claude have always made clear that their artworks in progress be continued after their deaths. L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris) is still on track for Sept. 18 – Oct. 3, 2021. pic.twitter.com/xHPURw60w2

The famous artist would have been 85 on June 13th. His wife Jeanne-Claude, with whom he carried out art activities, died in 2009. 

The artist couple Christo and Jeanne Claude on an archive photo in 2001 were one of the most prominent contemporary artist couples.

© dpa / Peter Endig

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