Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and Jeanne Claude were a married couple who created environmental works of art. Christo and Jeanne-Claude were born on the same day, June 13, 1935; Christo in Bulgaria, and Jeanne Claude in Morocco. Jeanne Claude died aged 74, on November 18, 2009.
Their earliest sculptures were composed of cans and bottles; some as found and some painted or wrapped in paper, plastic, or fabric. They are noted for their controversial outdoor sculptures that often involved monumental displays of fabrics and plastics. In 1995 the couple received the Japan Art Association’s Praemium Imperiale prize.
- The London Mastaba (2016 - 2018)
Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s huge, usually outdoor sculptures were temporary and involved hundreds of assistants in their construction. Seen by all manner of passersby, including those who would not necessarily visit museums, these works forced observers to confront questions regarding the nature of art and to reconsider a particular space. As the scope of the projects widened, increased time was needed for planning, construction phases, the securing of permits, and environmental impact research; a process that could take decades.
- The Floating Piers, Italy (2014 - 2016)
- The Wall; 13,000 Oil Barrels, Germany (1998 - 1999)
Some projects took many years of refusals until the artists could complete the project: 32 years for Wrapped Trees (1966-98), 34 years for The Gates (1971-2005), 25 years for the Wrapped Reichstag (1971-95), 10 years for The Pont Neuf Wrapped (1975-85), 4 years for Running Fence (1972-76), etc.
- Surrounded Islands, Florida (1980 - 1983)
- Big Air Package, Germany (2010 - 2013)
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