Christo

Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, known simply as Christo, was a Bulgarian-born French-American artist celebrated for large-scale environmental artworks created in collaboration with his partner Jeanne-Claude. Born on June 13, 1935, in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, he moved to Paris in 1958 and adopted the single-name signature that would characterize his career. In 1961 he began working with Jeanne-Claude, and together they organized a series of temporary installations that wrapped or enclosed landscapes and urban structures.

Their practice involved transforming public spaces through fabric, rope, and other materials to create immersive, participatory experiences. Notable works include The Gates in Central Park (New York City, 2005), Wrapped Reichstag (Berlin, 1995), Wrapped Pont Neuf (Paris, 1985–86), Surrounded Islands (Miami, 1983), The Umbrellas (Japan and the United States, 1991–1992), and The Floating Piers (Lake Iseo, Italy, 2016). These projects were designed to alter perception and invite reflection on the relationship between people and their environments.

Funding for Christo and Jeanne-Claude projects came primarily from private sources; they did not rely on public funding. They developed proposals, models, and promotional materials, often selling drawings and prints to cover costs, while seeking permits and negotiating with authorities to realize installations.

Christo continued pursuing large-scale projects after Jeanne-Claude’s death in 2009, maintaining a reputation for ambitious, temporary interventions that reframe everyday spaces. He died on May 31, 2020, in New York City, at the age of 84.