The Pont Neuf Wrapped

Christo American, born Bulgaria

Not on view

Used for both planning and fundraising purposes, this particular work was created by Christo in advance of a stunning, complicated project on which he worked collaboratively with his partner, Jeanne-Claude, and dozens of engineers and city planners called The Pont Neuf Wrapped, conceived in 1975 and executed in 1985. Christo and Jeanne-Claude are pioneers in the field of environmental art, envisioning radically new forms of outdoor public art. In the case of The Pont Neuf Wrapped, they wrapped the oldest bridge in Paris, a major cultural monument, with 450,000 square feet of woven polyamide fabric, silky in texture and golden in appearance. The fabric both obscured and abstracted the bridge, lending it a shimmering, almost celestial appearance that echoed the effect of light on the Seine beneath. The installation lasted fourteen days, and it survives only in the form of photographs and maquettes like this one.

The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Christo (American (born Bulgaria), Gabrovo 1935–2020 New York), Graphite, wax crayon, fabric, string, gelatin silver photograph and commercially printed paper on paperboard.

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