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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

It was during my stay in London two years ago that I could see Christo's work for the first time.

Floating on Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, "The London Mastaba" is a huge piece of 7,560 drums. Under the blue sky, which is rare in London, it was an everyday scene at the time when my work and people jogging around the lake and taking a walk coexisted with me, but I am deeply impressed.

Christo was planning to unveil his new project in Paris in April 2020. The big project of wrapping the Arc de Triomphe has been a hot topic since the announcement, but strangely it has been postponed due to the coronavirus. Unfortunately, Christo will be absent, but the work will be released on September 18.

https://www.christojeanneclaude.net/