Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Boundless at Saatchi Gallery
The Duke of York's Headquarters, Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea West London, a nonprofit since its registration with the British government's Charity Commission years ago, showcases the dynamic legacy of mega-collector Charles Saatchi's visionary art space established in 1985. Photo: Razvan Chiorean gallery
This showcase pays homage to the artistic journey of the dynamic duo, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, spanning from the mid-1950s to Christo's passing in May 2020. Delving into their formative years in France, this exhibition unveils their early works alongside those of their contemporaries, providing insight into the vibrant avant-garde scene of 1950s Paris. It unravels the evolution of the artist pair's creations and elucidates the defining aspects of their artistic perspective.
From these humble beginnings, Christo and Jeanne-Claude captivated a global audience with their awe-inspiring, large-scale projects. Structured in ten chapters, this exhibition chronicles the duo's most monumental endeavors, culminating in the 2021 wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the yet-to-be-realized Mastaba in Abu Dhabi.
Notably, Christo and Jeanne-Claude staunchly adhered to self-financing, relying on the proceeds from the sales of their preparatory studies. Their unwavering commitment to freedom and independence remains a cornerstone of their legacy. This exhibition stands as the final testament to Christo's vision, having received his approval before his demise. At its core, the showcase is bolstered by the extensive collection of Ingrid and Thomas Jochheim, constituting one of the most comprehensive assemblies of the couple's art globally.
ARC DE TRIOMPHE, PARIS 1961-2021
This exhibition begins with the wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe, which took place in 2021. Christo and Jeanne-Claude began working on this project in the early 1960s, when they were still living in a small attic room not far from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. In 1962, Christo made his first photomontage with a view of Avenue Foch and the wrapped Arc de Triomphe at night. In the following decades, he produced further designs for wrapping the monument.
But it was not until 60 years later, in the autumn of 2021, that the project was finally realised. Neither Jeanne-Claude, who died in 2009, or Christo lived to see its execution, which was carried out by his team according to Christo's plans. To date, it is the only project to be completed after Christo's death. The Arc de Triomphe exemplifies the artist couple's larger installations, which often took several decades of planning and preparation to come to fruition.
INSPIRATION UNVEILED IN PARIS
The tumultuous events of the Hungarian uprising in 1956 propelled Christo on a journey away from Bulgaria. Seeking refuge, he traversed through Vienna and Geneva before finding solace in the vibrant streets of Paris in 1958. A graduate of the Sofia Art Academy, Christo navigated his artistic path by crafting commissioned portraits for affluent Parisians, a path that eventually led him to the family of Jeanne-Claude. Within the artistic crucible of Paris, Christo and Jeanne-Claude engaged in a vibrant exchange of ideas.
A classic VW Beetle saloon, cocooned in a stylish mustard-colored tarpaulin, captures attention with a touch of retro charm as a part of the installation. Photo: Razvan Chiorean gallery
Their creative impulses were kindled by the trailblazing works of Alberto Burri, Jean Dubuffet, and Lucio Fontana, each piece posing profound inquiries about the essence of art itself. Christo, in his experimental fervor, affixed empty paint cans to his canvases, seamlessly expanding the boundaries of traditional art into the viewer's realm. Simultaneously, he embarked on a parallel exploration, stacking and wrapping found objects, a prelude to the groundbreaking artistic endeavors that would define their collaborative legacy.
WALL OF OIL BARRELS - RUE VISCONTI, PARIS 1962
Christo, having established connections with collectors, artists, and gallery owners in the Rhineland in 1958, unveiled his inaugural solo exhibition at Galerie Haro Lauhus in Cologne during the summer of 1961. Simultaneously, he embarked on crafting a series of ephemeral sculptures using wrapped barrels within Cologne's harbor. The erection of the Berlin Wall in August 1961 signified not only the separation of Germany but also a broader schism in Europe.
The Mastaba, Christo (Project for United Arab Emirates), 2008 pencil, charcoal, pastel, wax crayon, and masking tape on paper, Ingrid and Thomas Jochheim collection
Responding to this historic juncture, Christo and Jeanne-Claude conceived their maiden large-scale work, adorning the urban expanse of Paris. On June 27, 1962, they unilaterally closed off rue Visconti in the Saint-Germain-des-Près district with a wall fashioned from oil barrels. Having meticulously prepared for nine months and despite submitting an official application, permission was never granted. The unsanctioned and spontaneous street closure stirred controversy, drawing both fascination from those interpreting it as art and criticism from others perceiving it as an obstruction.
THE GATES, CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY, 1979-2005
Having relocated to New York in 1964, Christo and Jeanne-Claude yearned to materialize a grand installation in their adopted city. Their initial vision encompassed wrapping Manhattan buildings, yet permission from owners eluded them. Shifting focus to public spaces in the late 1970s, their first concept, involving Manhattan's pavements, faced roadblocks in authorization. Undeterred, they redirected their efforts towards Central Park in 1979.
The culmination of extensive preparations, 'The Gates,' blossomed in 2005. A vibrant tapestry of 7,503 saffron-colored textile panels adorned the Manhattan park, standing resplendent for 16 days. Much like their other installations, 'The Gates' was anything but static. Visitors meandered through the flowing gates, devoid of a designated start or end point. The spectacle, an immersive experience, unfolded across the park with no prescribed vantage point.
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