Christo Javacheff
Gabrovo, 1935 - New York 2020
Christo Javacheff e Jeanne-Claude de Guillebon erano conosciuti come il duo di artisti Christo e Jeanne Claude. Vengono soprattutto ricordati per le loro monumentali installazioni site-specific e per l'imballaggio di edifici storici, ponti e spazi esterni.
Christo maturò l’idea di impacchettare oggetti fin dal suo arrivo a Parigi, nel 1956, all’età di ventitré anni. Nell’ anno 1958 conosce Jeanne-Claude, che diventa la sua inseparabile compagna, essendo lei la straordinaria organizzatrice dell’imponente logistica necessaria alla loro realizzazione. I loro vasti progetti effimeri in Europa e negli Stati Uniti, ognuno dei quali è stato progettato per non più di alcune settimane, hanno spesso richiesto diversi decenni di pianificazione e l’esecuzione di disegni dettagliati prima di giungere alla conclusione.
Proprio con queste opere e studi preparatori, insieme ai primi lavori di Christo degli anni '50 e '60, finanziano i loro progetto per mantenere una libertà creativa.
Tantissimi e spettacolari i progetti realizzati, ma ne sono altri che sono rimasti nella forma di disegni e schizzi, essendo altrettanto affascinante ugualmente evocativi del peculiare stile di Christo e Jeanne-Claude.
Uno di questi progetti è Over the River, che doveva estendere 9,5 chilometri di tessuto drappeggiato sospesi in alto sopra l'acqua lungo 67,6 chilometri del fiume Arkansas, Colorado USA. Il progetto fu concepito nel 1992, ma non è andato mai in porto. Dal 1992 Christo e Jeanne–Claude, coadiuvati da uno staff di decine di tecnici e ingegneri, lavorassero alla messa a punto artistica e fattuale, riuscendo a ottenere tutte le autorizzazioni federali, statali e locali necessarie nel 2011. Ma nel 2012, un gruppo locale si oppose alla realizzazione dell’opera d’arte, intentando azioni legali contro i parchi statali del Colorado e contro il governo federale degli Stati Uniti. Nel gennaio 2017, dopo aver seguito Over The River per 20 anni, Christo decise di sospendere il progetto.
Christo Javacheff
Gabrovo, 1935 - New York 2020
Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude de Guillebon were known as the artist duo Christo and Jeanne Claude. They are best remembered for their monumental side-specific installations and the wrapping of landmark buildings, bridges and outdoor spaces.
Christo matured the idea of packing objects since his arrival in Paris in 1956 at the age of twenty-three. In 1958, he met Jeanne-Claude, who remained at his side for the rest of his life, as she was the extraordinary organizer of the impressive logistics necessary for their realization. Their vast ephemeral projects across Europe and the US, each one existing for no more than several weeks, often required several decades of planning and execution through detailed drawing before they came into fruition.
The pair self-financed their art through the sale of Christo’s preparatory studies and early works from the ’50s and ’60s, and they refused grants, sponsorships, or volunteer labor to maintain creative freedom.
Many spectacular projects have been realized, but there are others that have remained in the form of drawings and sketches, being equally fascinating and evocative of the peculiar style of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
One such project is Over the River, which was supposed to span 9.5 kilometers of silvery fabric to be suspended high above the water in eight distinct areas along 67.6 kilometers of Arkansas River, Colorado USA. The project was conceived in 1992, but never came to fruition. Since 1996 Christo and Jeanne Claude, assisted by a staff of dozens of technicians and engineers, had worked on the artistic and factual development managing to obtain all the necessary federal, state and local authorizations in 2011. But in 2012, a local group opposed the creation of the artwork, taking legal action against Colorado's state parks and the U.S. federal government. In January 2017, after following Over The River for 20 years, Christo decided to suspend the project.
Selezione mostre personali / Selected solo exhibitions
2021
Paris, Sotheby's, The Final Christo: Original Works for the Arc de Triomphe
St. Moritz, Zuecca Projects, Christo: Wrapped Furniture and Objects 1961–1963
Sofia City Art Gallery, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Life=Works=Projects
Paris, Bank of the River Seine, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Realized Projects
Paris, Cahiers d'Art and Zuecca Projects, Christo: Early Works and Unrealized Projects
Galerie Léo Arte and Galerie Sage, Christo: Works 1959–2020
Madrid, Guillermo de Osma Galería, Christo and Jeanne-Claude 1960–1970
2020
Florida, Vero Beach, The Gallery at Windsor, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Selections from the Weston Collection
Musée Würth France Erstein, Christo et Jeanne-Claude: Collection Würth
Paris, Galerie Sage, Christo: Works 1963–2020
Paris, Cahiers d'Art, Christo: Show Cases, Show Windows and Store Fronts, 1963–1966
Berlin, PalaisPopulaire, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Projects 1963–2020. Ingrid & Thomas Jochheim Collection
Paris, Centre Georges Pompidou, Christo et Jeanne-Claude: Paris!
2019
Guy Pieters Gallery, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Paris Projects
Marrakech, Musée Yves Saint Laurent, Christo: Femmes 1962-1968
2018
Miami, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida, 1980-83. A Documentary Exhibition
Saint Tropez, Fondation Linda et Guy Pieters, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The London Mastaba, Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park, 2016-18
Goslar, Mönchehaus Museum, Christo und Jeanne-Claude: Werke aus der Sammlung Jochheim. Fotografien von Wolfgang Volz
London, Serpentine Galleries, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Barrels and The Mastaba (1958-2018)
Christo
Zurich, Galerie Gmurzynska, Christo
2017
Brussels, ING Art Center, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Urban Projects
Washington, National Gallery of Art, Process and Participation in the Work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude
2016
Ibaraki, Art Tower Mito, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Umbrellas, Japan-USA, 1984-91. A Documentation Exhibition
Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Fondation Maeght, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Barrels
Brescia, Museo di Santa Giulia, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Water Projects
Santa Rosa, Art Museum of Sonoma County, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Running Fence - 40 Years Post
St. Moritz, Galerie Gmurzynska, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works in Progress
2015
New York City, Craig F. Starr Gallery, Christo: Show Windows and Store Fronts, 1963-67
Florida, Tampa Museum of Art, XTO+J-C: Christo and Jeanne-Claude featuring works from the bequest of David C. Copley
Sofia, Sofia City Art Gallery, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Prints and Objects
Knokke-Heist, Guy Pieters Gallery, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Floating Piers, Project for Lake Iseo, Italy
2014
La Jolla, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Featuring Works from the Bequest of David C. Copley
2013
Potsdam, Villa Schöningen, Werke aus Berliner Sammlungen
Knokke-Heist, Guy Pieters Gallery, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Mastaba, Project for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Oberhausen, Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen, Christo: Big Air Package, Project for Gasometer Oberhausen
Oberhausen, Gasometer Oberhausen, Christo: Big Air Package
2011
London, Annely Juda Fine Art, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: 40 Years - 12 Exhibitions
Palermo, Palazzo Reale, Christo e Jeanne-Claude
2010
Colorado, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado. A Work in Progress
Washington, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Remembering the Running Fence. A Documentation Exhibition
Tokyo, 21/21 Design Site, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Life=Works=Projects
2008
Washington, The Phillips Collection, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado. A Work in Progress
2006
Sapporo, Miyanomori Art Museum, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works and Projects 1958-2006
Kunsthalle Rostock, A Documentation Exhibition / Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado. A Work in ProgressChristo and Jeanne-Claude: The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85
Zurich, Credit Suisse Pavilion, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005. A Documentation Exhibition
Lugano, Museo d'Arte Moderna, Christo e Jeanne-Claude
2005
London, Annely Juda Fine Arts, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado. A Work in Progress
2004
Portland, Portland Art Museum, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975-85. A Documentation Exhibition
Biel/Bienne, Centre Pasquart, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Swiss Projects 1968-1998
New York City, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates, Project for Central Park, New York City
2003
Otterlo, Kröller-Müller Museum, Christo: Works from the Collection
2002
La Jolla, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the Vogel Collection
Washington, National Gallery of Art, Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the Vogel Collection
2001
Berlin, Martin-Gropius-Bau, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Early Works 1958-69 and Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971-95. A Documentation Exhibition
Berlin, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Two Works in Progress
2000
Goslar, Mönchehaus Museum, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Two Works in Progress and Oil Barrels 1962-99
London, Annely Juda Fine Art, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Black and White
Santa Rosa, Sonoma County Museum, Twenty-One Golden Years with Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Tom Golden Collection
1999
Nice, Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, Christo et Jeanne-Claude: Projets. Sélection de la collection Lilja
Gasometer Oberhausen, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Umbrellas, Japan-USA, 1984-91. A Documentation Exhibition / Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971-95. A Documentation Exhibition / The Wall – 13,000 Oil Barrels
1998
Basel, Galerie Beyeler, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Early Works and Works in Progress
Torino, Palazzo Bricherasio, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Early Works 1958-69 and Works in Progress / Wrapped Floors and Stairway and Covered Windows
1997
West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Sculpture and Projects
1995
London, Annely Juda Fine Art, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Three Works in Progress
1993
Vienna, KunstHausWien, Christo: Der Reichstag und urbane Projekte
1991
Tokyo, Satani Gallery, Christo: Early Works 1958 – 64
Barcelona, Galeria Joan Prats, Christo: Obra 1958 – 1991
London, Annely Juda Fine Art, Christo: Projects Not Realised and Works in Progress
1990
Sydney,Art Gallery of New South Wales, Christo: John Kaldor Art Project 1990
1984
London, Juda Rowan Gallery, Christo: Object, Collages and Drawings 1958 – 1984
Basel, Architekturmuseum, Christo: Wrapped Floors im Architekturmuseum in Basel, 1984
1981
La Jolla, La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, Christo: Collection on Loan from Rothschild Bank AG
Cologne, Museum Ludwig, Christo: Projekte in der Stadt 1961-1981
1980
Abu Dhabi, Alliance Française, Christo: Exposition d'Art Environmental
1979
Boston, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Christo: Urban Projects. A Survey
1978
Munich, Galerie Art in Progress, Christo: Zeichnungen und Collagen von realisierten und nicht realisierten Projekten
Munich, Galerie Art in Progress, Christo: Verpackte Galerie
1974
London, Annely Juda Fine Art,Christo: Otterlo Mastaba, Project for the Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller, Otterlo, Holland
1973
Otterlo, Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller, Christo: Drawings - Otterlo Mastaba, Project for Kröller-Müller
Milano, Studio Marconi, Christo: Opera dal 1959/72
1972
Antwerp, Wide White Space Gallery, Christo: Works 1958-1972
1971
Krefeld, Museum Haus Lange, Christo: Wrapped Floors - Wrapped Stairway - Wrapped Walk Ways
London, Annely Juda Fine Arts, Christo: Project Not Relised
1969
Sydney, Central Street Gallery, Christo
Melbourne, National Gallery of Victoria, Christo: Wool Works
Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Christo: Wrap In Wrap Out
Antwerp, Wide White Space Gallery, Christo: Wrapped Floor and Stairway
1968
New York City, John Gibson Gallery, Christo: Projects of Packages, Storefronts, and Barrels for the National Gallery, Rome
New York City, The Museum of Modern Art, Christo Wraps the Museum: Scale Models, Photomontages, and Drawings for a Non-Event
Philadelphia, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, Christo: Monuments and Projects
1967
Cologne, Galerie Der Spiegel,Christo: Store Fronts, Empaquetages, Projects
1966
Eindhoven, Stedelijk van Abbemuseum, Christo: Empaquetages, Volumen Temporale, Store Fronts
New York City, Leo Castelli Gallery, Christo
1964
Torino, Galleria Enzo Sperone, Christo
Dusseldorf, Galerie Schmela, Christo: Store Fronts
1963
Venice, Galleria del Leone, Christo
Roma, Galleria La Salita, Christo
Milano, Galleria Apollinaire, Christo: Empaquetage Monumental
1962
Paris, Galerie J, Christo: Monument Temporaire – Mur d’Assemblage
1961
Cologne, Galerie Haro Lauhus