L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped , a temporary work of art on display for 16 days
from Saturday 18 September to Sunday 3 October 2021. The Arc de Triomphe
was wrapped in 25,000 square meters of silvery blue recyclable polypropylene
fabric and 3,000 meters of red rope during 2021.
In 1961, three years after meeting in Paris, Christo and Jeanne-Claude began
creating works of art in public spaces. One of their plans was to wrap a public
building. When he arrived in Paris, Christo rented a small room near the Arc de
Triomphe and had been attracted to the monument ever since. 60 years later,
the project has finally been realized.
Polypropylene and rope waste will be recycled by Parley for the Oceans, Parley
will recycle materials, supporting remote island cleanup, education and
infrastructure projects.
The Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped was entirely funded by the Estate of Christo V.
Javacheff, through the sale of preparatory studies, drawings and collages of
Christo's project, as well as scale models, works from the 50s and 60s and
original lithographs on other topics. It has not received public funds.
The Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the government institution that
manages the Arc de Triomphe, was delighted with the realization of a project
that demonstrated its commitment to contemporary creation and that
honored one of the most emblematic monuments of Paris and France.Per
Christo's wishes, L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped was completed by his team after
his death.