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Contemporary Art & Design presents Christo


Christo & Jeanne-Claude

”The Umbrellas (Project for Japan and Western USA)”


The artists Christo (1935-2020) and Jeanne-Claude (1935-2009) worked together for over 50 years. Their enormous and astounding art projects of city and landscape elements made them world-famous. They mastered the whole creative process from idea and documentation to realisation.

Before the projects were realised in full size, the artistic idea emerged in preparatory sketches, collages, drawings, and scale models. These works of art made in Christo's studio should be considered the most important steps in the creative process. They all have their own value and document the artistic development of the project. The work in the auction "The Umbrellas (Project for Japan and Western USA)" from 1989 is one such original work.



The work of art is a scream of freedom

Christo


› Signed Christo and dated 1989. Diptych. Collage on panel, pencil, charcoal, crayon, pastel, fabric, map and bic pen. Mounted with plexiglass, 78.2 x 67.2 cm and 78.2 x 31.2 cm. Esimate 800 000 – 1 000 000 SEK.


The temporary work, which was only live for 18 days, was funded entirely by "The Umbrellas, Joint Project for Japan and the U.S.A. Corporation" (Jeanne-Claude, Christo-Javacheff, President). The entire temporary project cost $ 26 million to complete.

On October 9, 1991, 960 people gathered in the United States and 920 people in Japan to jointly carry out the installation of "The Umbrellas". Every umbrella was 6 meters tall and had a diameter of 8.66 meters. Dismantling began on October 27, 1991, and the terrain on which they stood was restored and most of the 3,100 umbrellas could be recycled. The fact that the project was carried out in Japan and in the USA at the same time was to point out the similarities and differences in the way of life and use of the land in the respective valleys.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s website states the following: ”In the precious and limited space of Japan, the umbrellas were positioned intimately, close together and sometimes following the geometry of the rice fields. In the luxuriant vegetation enriched by water year round, the umbrellas were blue. In the California vastness of uncultivated grazing land, the configuration of the umbrellas was whimsical and spreading in every direction. The brown hills are covered by blond grass. In that dry landscape, the umbrellas were yellow.”


To be sold at Contemporary Art & Design April 26

Viewing April 21 – 25, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm
Open Weekdays 11 am – 6 pm, helger 11 am – 5 pm
Auction Live April 26, Arsenalsgatan 2, Stockholm


To the work


All works by Christo in the auction


369. Christo & Jeanne-Claude, ”The Umbrellas (Project for Japan and Western USA)”.
369. Christo & Jeanne-Claude, ”The Umbrellas (Project for Japan and Western USA)”.
Hammer price 
1 500 000 SEK
Estimate
800 000 - 1 000 000 SEK
394. Christo & Jeanne-Claude, "Double Show Window".
394. Christo & Jeanne-Claude, "Double Show Window".
Hammer price 
90 000 SEK
Estimate
80 000 - 100 000 SEK
395. Christo & Jeanne-Claude, "Orange Store Front, Project".
395. Christo & Jeanne-Claude, "Orange Store Front, Project".
Hammer price 
Unsold
Estimate
80 000 - 100 000 SEK


Condition reports & requests Contact specialist


Björn Extergren
Stockholm
Björn Extergren
Head of Consignment and Sales Department, Fine Art. Specialist Antique Furniture, Decorative Arts and Asian Ceramics
+46 (0)706 40 28 61
Louise Wrede
Stockholm
Louise Wrede
Specialist Contemporary Art, Private Sales
+46 (0)739 40 08 19
Karin Aringer
Stockholm
Karin Aringer
Specialist Photographs and Contemporary Art
+46 (0)702 63 70 57
Marcus Kinge
Stockholm
Marcus Kinge
Specialist Prints
+46 (0)739 40 08 27