Introduction
The idea of covering the famous Arc de Triomphe in cloth was a dream held by the renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude for over fifty years. The Arc de Triomphe, a representation of the sacrifices made by the French people and their unforgettable history, was intended to be covered in 25,000 square metres of red rope and polypropylene fabric. This ambitious show is currently regarded as one of the most important artistic achievements of the decade.
This enormous project began with Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artistic journey, which crossed continents and defied convention. The dream began in 1962 as little more than an idea while renting a small room close to the monument; it persevered despite obstacles and Jeanne-Claude’s tragic death in 2009. After receiving unexpected approval to move forward with the project in 2018, and then losing him in 2020, the anticipation of their long-held dream coming true only grew.
This first investigation examines the historical accounts of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s creative journey, highlighting the tenacity of their vision and the immense importance contained in the upcoming renovation of the Arc de Triomphe. In addition to honouring France’s historical narrative, the iconic monument prepares to take on an ephemeral cloak, providing a timeless canvas for artistic ingenuity and the celebration of freedom.
Historical Prelude: Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Artistic Journey
The Arc de Triomphe project finds its roots in the creative minds of Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, renowned as Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Their dream took shape in 1962 when they first conceptualised wrapping the monument, though it seemed implausible at the time. The artistic duo, however, went on to create several large-scale, site-specific installations globally, including notable works like ‘The Pont Neuf Wrapped’ (1985) and the ‘Wrapped Reichstag’ (1995) in Germany.
The Long-Awaited Dream: A Chronology of Persistence
The dream of wrapping the Arc de Triomphe persisted despite setbacks and obstacles. Christo, having lost his wife and artistic partner Jeanne-Claude in 2009, unexpectedly received permission for the project in 2018. Sadly, the artist passed away in May 2020, but the realisation of his long-cherished dream was finally unfolded. Scheduled for a 16-day spectacle from September 18 to October 3, 2021, the Arc de Triomphe was adorned with recyclable polypropylene fabric and red rope. A parallel exhibition at Sotheby’s Paris, titled ‘The Final Christo,’ showcased 25 works narrating the journey of this ambitious project.
Artistic Freedom Unleashed: Christo’s Visionary Philosophy
In his final interview with Centre Pompidou magazine, Christo emphasised that the project was an expression of “total irrational freedom.” Describing it as unnecessary yet celebratory, he drew parallels with a painter’s instinctive choice of colours on a blank canvas. The act of wrapping a monument, in Christo’s view, symbolises the celebration of freedom in a society unbounded by justification.
A Scream of Freedom: Christo’s Personal Connection
Christo’s profound connection to the theme of freedom stemmed from his personal history. Having escaped Bulgaria as an illegal immigrant, he experienced firsthand the suffocation imposed by the Soviet regime. His rallying cry, “Our work of art is a scream of freedom,” encapsulates the essence of the project and his lifelong commitment to the principles of liberty.
Nomadic Tribes and Temporary Beauty: Symbolism of Freedom
The temporary nature of Christo’s monumental installations aligns with the spirit of freedom. He compared it to the resilience of nomadic tribes, building strong structures in the face of natural forces. The impermanence of these artworks reflects the belief that freedom, like art, should be actively embraced and protected.
Timeliness in Expression: A Message for Contemporary Challenges
The project’s timing resonates with the contemporary challenges to artistic freedom. In an era where art is often censored or deemed offensive, Christo’s unwavering commitment to creative expression serves as a poignant reminder of the value of unrestricted artistic liberty. The project stands against the notion of negotiating basic rights and freedoms.
Practical Fight for Freedom: Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Legacy
Beyond their artistic pursuits, Christo and Jeanne-Claude were dedicated to ensuring that public art was actually accessible to all. They stopped outside authorities from influencing their artistic vision by funding their projects on their own. They stayed outside the purview of commercialisation because they insisted that their works were only temporary.
A Worthy Tribute: The Wrapping of Arc de Triomphe
In terms of public art, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s enormous project, wrapping the Arc de Triomphe, stands out as a moving statement that speaks to issues of the day in addition to being a celebration of artistic freedom. The project’s timeliness becomes a crucial lens through which it acquires a deeper meaning and provides insights into the contemporary social landscape.
The wrapped memorial becomes a representation of unrestricted expression as the globe struggles with discussions about censorship, creative freedom, and the definition of fundamental rights. While artists are frequently subjected to censorship and removal from platforms for being considered “offensive,” Christo’s vision goes beyond what is considered necessary and encourages society to accept the unnecessary as a symbol of liberty. The seemingly insignificant act of covering a monument with cloth becomes a potent declaration of the right to create without restriction.
In addition, the transient quality of Christo’s works—such as the wrapped Arc de Triomphe—echoes the spirit of freedom’s nomadism. The artist himself emphasises the strength needed to withstand outside forces by drawing comparisons with nomadic tribes. The transient yet durable essence of liberty is symbolised by the wrapped monument’s ephemeral nature in a time when rights and freedoms are occasionally bargained rather than unassailable.
With the world facing challenges that have stretched the boundaries of individual liberties, the cloth-covered Arc de Triomphe becomes a poignant reminder of the necessity of actively promoting and defending freedom. The legacy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude providing funding for their expansive works in order to preserve their artistic independence gains new significance. In addition to questioning social norms, the project shows the artists’ dedication to preserving public art free from governmental interference and commercial interests.
The wrapped Arc de Triomphe becomes more than a visually stunning spectacle; it becomes a symbolic call to preserve and cherish the liberties that define a society as we navigate a post-lockdown world where fundamental rights are under scrutiny. Reflecting on the role of art in shaping and reflecting the zeitgeist of contemporary challenges, Christo’s final interview takes on a prophetic quality as he explains his motivation for the project as an expression of irrational freedom.
Conclusion: A Monumental Ode to Freedom
In a world where artistic expression and freedom are hotly debated, the Wrapped Arc de Triomphe stands out as a colossal tribute to liberty. Christo’s vision, realised after his death, is proof of the art’s eternal ability to honour and defend the values of illogical freedom. The Arc de Triomphe sheds its temporary veil to represent the eternal expression of artistic liberty as well as the historical sacrifices made by France.
Feature Image: Christo and Jeanne-Claude. L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped is published by Taschen © Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, New York
