Christo and Jeanne-Claude facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christo and Jeanne-Claude
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Jeanne-Claude and Christo in May 2009
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| Known for | Environmental art |
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Notable work
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Running Fence The Gates The Floating Piers |
| Movement | Nouveau réalisme Environmental art |
| Awards | Praemium Imperiale |
| Born |
Christo Vladimirov Javacheff
June 13, 1935 |
| Died | May 31, 2020 (aged 84) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Sofia Academy of Fine Arts Vienna Academy of Fine Arts |
| Born |
Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon
June 13, 1935 Casablanca, French Morocco
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| Died | November 18, 2009 (aged 74) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Self–taught |
Christo Vladimirov Javacheff (1935–2020) and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon (1935–2009) were a famous artist couple. They were known as Christo and Jeanne-Claude. They created huge art projects, often wrapping big buildings or landscapes in fabric. Imagine a bridge or a whole building covered in cloth!
Some of their most famous works include the Wrapped Reichstag in Berlin, The Pont Neuf Wrapped in Paris, and The Gates in New York City's Central Park. Christo was born in Bulgaria and Jeanne-Claude in Morocco. They were born on the very same day! They met in Paris in the late 1950s and got married.
At first, only Christo's name was used for their art. But later, they decided to use both "Christo and Jeanne-Claude." After Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2009, Christo kept creating art until he died in 2020.
Contents
What Kind of Art Did They Make?
Christo and Jeanne-Claude made what is called environmental art. This means their art was often made for a specific place. It used the environment around it as part of the artwork. Their projects were always very big and amazing to look at.
Why Was Their Art Special?
Their art was special because it changed how people saw familiar places. They wanted to bring joy and beauty to everyday life. They believed their art had no hidden meaning. It was simply there for people to experience and enjoy.
How Did They Create Their Art?
Creating their art projects took many years, sometimes even decades! They had to plan everything very carefully. This included finding technical solutions for wrapping huge objects. They also had to get permission from governments and local communities.
They would talk to many people and hold public meetings. This helped them get approval for their big ideas. They never took money from grants, donations, or governments. Instead, they sold their own drawings and models to pay for their projects. This made their art truly independent.
Famous Art Projects
Christo and Jeanne-Claude created many memorable art installations around the world. Each project was unique and brought art to public spaces.
The Wrapped Reichstag (1995)
One of their most famous projects was wrapping the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. This building is very important to German history. They covered the entire building with silver fabric. It was tied with blue ropes.
This project took many years to get approval. It finally happened in 1995. Millions of people came to see it. It looked like a giant, shimmering sculpture.
The Pont Neuf Wrapped (1985)
In 1985, they wrapped the oldest bridge in Paris, France. It is called the Pont Neuf. They used a golden-yellow fabric for this project. The fabric covered the sides and arches of the bridge.
People could still walk across the bridge. It changed the look of the famous landmark. It made people see it in a new and exciting way.
Running Fence (1976)
For this project, they built a long, flowing fence in California, USA. The Running Fence was 24.5 miles (39.4 km) long. It was made of white nylon fabric. The fence ran across hills and valleys.
It looked like a giant ribbon moving with the land. It was only up for two weeks. This project showed how art could interact with nature.
The Gates (2005)
In 2005, they installed The Gates in New York City's Central Park. They placed 7,503 gates along the park's pathways. Each gate was 16 feet (4.9 meters) tall. Bright orange fabric panels hung from the top of each gate.
When the wind blew, the fabric moved like waves. It created a "golden river" through the park. This project brought a burst of color and energy to the city.
The Floating Piers (2016)
After Jeanne-Claude's death, Christo continued to work on projects they had planned together. The Floating Piers was one of these. It was built in 2016 on Lake Iseo in Italy.
It was a series of walkways that floated on the water. They were covered in bright yellow fabric. People could walk across the lake to islands. It was a unique way to experience the water and landscape.
Images for kids
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Würth Rioja wrapped chairs
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Valley Curtain (1972)
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The Pont Neuf Wrapped (1985)
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The Umbrellas (1991)
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The Floating Piers (2016)
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The London Mastaba (2018)
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L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (2021)
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Young Christo
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In Spanish: Christo y Jeanne-Claude para niños
