On Tuesday, I finally made it up to see the l’Arc de Triomphe, wrapped.I figured the best approach was one metro stop before Etoile, the George V and then proceed on foot. Turns out that may be the only way to go.
Today, Sunday is the last day of an 18-day happening in Paris. Go toute suite if you can. Weekdays, traffic around the Etoile made it necessary to use the underground tunnel to access the Arc. So there was checking for vaccine proof etc. Historic old photos line the underground walls. We come up the stairwell to this monolithic form that dwarfs you. The silvery-blue wrapping/emballer simplifies the forms like nothing else. Artist Christo and Jean-Claude’s project has been in the works for 20 years. It was completely paid for with their own money. Meet Mateo G., an Italian student in London just here for the 2 weeks. He spoke no French. He applied online months earlier, was interviewed and made the grade. Guides are from all over, speaking various languages, answering questions. Their tops are that stunning Christo cyan blue. Along with information they hand out free squares of the actual draping fabric, 25,000 square meters of silver polypropylene fabric, held in place by 3,000 meters of red rope. Everyone wants a selfie. Some pretended to climb the red ropes for their selfies. Batches of students were drawing onsite. At 5:45 a barrage of police cars appeared blaring their alerts. President Macron was coming. We all had to clear out. We exited from a different entrance, so you ended up walking a circle around the Arc and seeing it from other angles. Altogether a joyful experience for everyone who showed up. Thanks for reading PB! If you like this newsletter, forward it to a friend, Receive Parisbreakfast letters, maps, watercolors in your mailbox📮💌💋💕🐻
Thank you so much for sharing you day. I wish I could have been there for this once in a life time experience. I had to cancel my annual Paris trip in 2020, hoping to be back in 2022. Again thank you for bring Paris a little closer to me.
ReplyDeleteWow... spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to see the Arc “wrapped”. I’m feeling rather ambivalent about this one… I think your watercolor, however, is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteDid you see the Pont Neuf wrapped Bonnie?
ReplyDeleteI loved this but I love his work…a unique vision
I first visited Paris, aged ten with my aunt in 1960. She took me to see the Arc and we climbed many stairs to the balcony where we were able to look down the Champs d’Elysee. Wrapping the Arc has deprived so many from being able to experience that: or perhaps in normal times it has been stopped too?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad and envious that you went to see this! 💕
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience.
No One was deprived of anything Blair.
ReplyDeleteThere is now an elevator to the top and you could reserve ahead to go up.
Oh, cool! I was wondering if you’d go see this. I was in NYC when Christo did the Gates and I took a bunch of photos then . It was so good lovely. I remember I didn’t expect to love it the way I did.
ReplyDeleteI too was surprised to love The Gates too.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very good community feeling generated.
I am so sorry to miss this, too! And by such a short time. I was half hoping they'd extend it. Oh, well. I did see le Pont Neuf in 1985. Quite impressive, although I think the Arc would be more so.
ReplyDeleteThank you…Merci….for doing this for us who will never get the chance to see this in person…;)
ReplyDeleteIncredible accomplishment and a once in a life time experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol for sharing those photos. ❤️
So glad you got to see it up close. Love your post, of course
ReplyDeleteThere have been a lot of stories here about it and Christo’s history..I’ve always been a fan
So, WHO actually did this wrap? Christo passed away in 2020. I did not google that, though, to see who did this project. Just the same, it looks spectacular! Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos of this once in a life time event. Your watercolor is wonderful. I have heard about Christo and his art events. That is special you got a piece of the fabric used as a souvenir from the event. So happy you shared this with us. Merci.
ReplyDeleteCarol—I wasn’t much of a fan of this installation. Perhaps it would have been more impressive in person than from my living room in Oregon. However, your rendering of it in water color was spectacular. IMO, you outdid Christo!
ReplyDeleteLove your watercolor but not really fond of Christo. I think of him as more of a technician than an artist; but do admit he is creative and imaginative.
ReplyDeleteIs this a fabric that will not disintegrate for 3,000 years???? Where will it go next????
ReplyDeleteChristo and Jeanne Claude are very creative and imaginative. They change how you experience things you take for granted and may pass by everyday without a thought. Absolutely artiste. And Christo is a brilliant draftsman✏️✏️✏️
ReplyDeleteCaterina B, his nephew organized the wrapping.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this great artwork. I’ve seen pictures and heard about it but nothing like a Paris Breakfasts tour with lots of photos and extra insights. Sorry the president turfed you out! Merci Carol :)
ReplyDeleteYou’re very welcome dear Kirabelle 😊
ReplyDeleteHappy to take you along with me!
Christo hung a “running fence” here in Sonoma County many years ago and by chance he invited me out to dinner with him and his wife and a few friends! Wow!!
ReplyDeleteHe signed two books for me AND a huge photo of the fence!!
What a lovely man.
Do you remember when they wrapped the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art?
ReplyDeleteJust in case I can post now,
ReplyDeletethanks for the up-close views...I have to admit was totally under-whelmed by the news views, but at least up close it has some texture.