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Artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, known as Christo, passed away of natural causes today at his home in New York City. He was 84 years old. . Statement from Christo's office: "Christo lived his life to the fullest, not only dreaming up what seemed impossible but realizing it. Christo and Jeanne-Claude's artwork brought people together in shared experiences across the globe, and their work lives on in our hearts and memories. Christo and Jeanne-Claude have always made clear that their artworks in progress be continued after their deaths. Per Christo’s wishes, 'L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped' in Paris, France, is still on track for Sept. 18–Oct. 3, 2021." . Christo was born on June 13, 1935 in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. He left Bulgaria in 1957, first to Prague, Czechoslovakia, and then escaped to Vienna, Austria, then moved to Geneva, Switzerland. In 1958, Christo went to Paris, where he met Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, not only his wife but life partner in the creation of monumental environmental works of art. Jeanne-Claude passed away on November 18, 2009. Christo lived in New York City for 56 years. . From early wrapped objects to monumental outdoor projects, Christo and Jeanne-Claude's artwork transcended the traditional bounds of painting, sculpture and architecture. Some of their work included Wrapped Coast in Australia (1968–69), Valley Curtain in Colorado (1970–72), Running Fencein California (1972–76), Surrounded Islands in Miami (1980–83), The Pont Neuf Wrapped in Paris (1975–85), The Umbrellas in Japan and California (1984–91), Wrapped Reichstag in Berlin (1972–95), The Gates in New York’s Central Park (1979–2005), The Floating Piers at Italy's Lake Iseo (2014–16), and The London Mastaba on London's Serpentine Lake (2016–18). . Christo's temporary work of art in Paris, France, titled L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris), is scheduled for Sept. 18–Oct. 3, 2021. Additionally, a major exhibition at the Centre Georges Pompidou about Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work and time in Paris will be on view this year, from July 1–Oct. 19, 2020. . In a 1958 letter Christo wrote, 'Beauty, science and art will always triumph.' We hold those words closely today.

A post shared by Christo and Jeanne-Claude (@christojeanneclaude) on May 31, 2020 at 12:08pm PDT

クリストの作品を初めて実際に見ることができたのは2年前、ロンドン滞在中でした。

ハイドパークのサーペンタイン・レイクに浮かぶ「The London Mastaba」は、7,560個ものドラム缶が積み重なった巨大作品。ロンドンには珍しい青く晴れ渡った空の下、作品と湖の周りをジョギングしたり、散歩したりする人々とが違和感なく共存していた光景はその当時の日常でしたが、今思うと感慨深いです。

クリストはパリでの新プロジェクトを2020年4月に披露する予定でした。凱旋門を包むというビッグプロジェクトは発表後から話題となっていましたが、奇しくもコロナウイルスの影響で延期に。残念ながらクリスト不在とはなりますが、作品は9月18日に公開されるとのことです。

https://www.christojeanneclaude.net/