French Culture Project 1

“The work of art is a scream of freedom.”

Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Both of the artist were born on the same day, June 13, 1935. They first met in October 1958 in Paris, France. When they met Christo was doing a painting of Jeanne-Claude's mother. He was first attracted to her half sister Joyce. Jeanne-Claude was engaged when she first met Christo. She ended up pregnant by Christo and she still got married, but after the honeymoon she left her husband and went to Christo. They soon had a son named Cyril born on 11 May 1960. Jeanne-Claude's parents didn't approve of the relationship because of Christo's refugee status.

There works were just credited to Christo until 1994, when Jeanne-Claude finally got credited to there work. They rode in separate planes so if one was to crash the other could continue on with the work. This work of art above is called The Wall. It was finished on April 6,1999. Most of there art is made out of fabric, large curtains, wrapped forms, surrounded islands, and large umbrellas.

The photo on the left is called Surrounded Island. It was complete on May 7, 1983, where they covered 11 islands. They completed this piece of art in Biscayne Bay, between the city of Miami, North Miami, the Village of Miami Shores, and Miami Beach.

The photo on the right called Over the River, for the Arkansas river. He did this in dedication to Jeanne-Claude after she passed. It was a dream of there's to do this so he wanted to continue on after her death.

What are some of the major themes that your subject addresses?

Some of Christo and Jeanne-Claud's themes for there art was environmental. They did alot of things with water and covering bridges, islands, buildings, and gates. They thought by wrapping these items it would give them a new since of an identity. It would be able to show basic features and proportions of the object. The use of fabric gave the item a more sensual and temporary feel. They dont consider there work just "wrapping" they consider it more of altering the enviroment.

What about your subject is particularly "French"?

When Christo escaped communism he felt the need to express it in his art. There art shows love, passion, beauty, freedom, and joy. Just how french is percieved and is. To see orange fabric flowing off of gates or buildings shows freedom. By erasing everything in your mind and just watching the fabric flow back and forth. The French culture has a beautiful look, so does Christo and Jeanne-Clauds' artwork. They represent there work with every aspect of French Culture.

http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/