The triumphal arch will be covered with blue fabric

From September 18 to October 3, the childhood dream of the Bulgarian visual artist, who died in May 2020, and of his wife, Jeanne-Claude, will be realized: this high place of French commemorations, 50 meters high, will be fully covered. 25,000 m² of recyclable fabric in bluish silver polypropylene, undulating with the elements, held by 3,000 meters of red rope.

Two red cranes deployed to the top, sculpted groups protected under trellises, dozens of busy technicians… The packaging of the triumphal arch at the top of the Parisian avenue of the Champs-Elysées, a posthumous work of Christo, form.

In 1985, Christo had already packed the Pont-Neuf, one of the Parisian bridges spanning the Seine.

Started at the end of June, preparations are continuing at a sustained pace under the leadership of Vladimir Javacheff, Christo’s nephew, in accordance with his uncle’s very specific wishes, with the enthusiastic support of the National Monuments Center.

« It will be like a living object », said Christo

« 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, ”explained Christo, presenting his final project, two years before his death.

As early as 1962, Christo and Jeanne-Claude had signed a photomontage with the packed triumphal arch, an idea they had while looking at the monument from their first Parisian apartment on avenue Foch.

At the moment, the « gift package » is not visible. The canvas will be deployed in the very first days of September. The three teams, which take turns 24 hours a day, including members of the Charpentiers de Paris, set out to install the canvas fixing points, using wooden glides without damaging the monument.

At a cost of 14 million euros, the project is entirely self-financed thanks to the sale of original works by Christo, preparatory drawings, souvenirs, models and lithographs.

« You see the cable that is being installed: it pulls the canvas back and the strings over the top to hold it like a belt, » says the artist’s nephew. It was Christo’s wish that we complete the project. « 

« When this is done, you will just think that we put some cloth on the top and put some ropes, and the whole thing has been tied like a Christmas present! » explains Vladimir Javacheff. « Christo and Jeanne-Claude would say that we have love and tenderness for childhood, because it does not last. When you know something is only there for a very short time, you treat it in a different way, ”he adds.

A moment out of time, the posthumous tribute of artist Christo for 15 days

For Bruno Cordeau, administrator of the Arc de Triomphe, « supporting the setting up of a work like this, in the circumstances that are those of today, is magic! ». “The packaging of the Pont-Neuf was a timeless moment. This is what we are about to experience once again here. We make sure that the triumphal arch is properly protected, as long as the monument remains open to the public, « he adds.

The triumphal arch, the construction of which was started by Napoleon I in 1806, has been dedicated since 1836 to perpetuating the memory of the victories of the Napoleonic Grand Army and since 1921 has kept the remains of the Unknown Soldier killed in the First World War.

“The Arc de Triomphe is not a monument like any other. It is that of national harmony. It is also a place of culture. Christo’s work has the elegance and humility of being ephemeral. After a fortnight, it will disappear, « said the administrator of the arc, who associated the Committee of the Flame and the veterans with the project.

Beyond the consequences of the pandemic, the project was also delayed by the spring nesting of kestrels, longtime residents of the arc.

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Gabriel MIHAI

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