Over the years Christo and Jeanne-Claude succeeded in realizing 24 of their projects. These change the world temporarily. It’s as if time stops and together with the artists we can transfer into a reality, which is familiar yet different, and more beautiful.

Over the decades the presentation of their art in Bulgaria was, if at all, much too fragmentary and sporadic. It was not until 2015 when the Sofia City Gallery presented the “Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Prints and Objects 1963-2014” exhibition with the direct involvement of Christo and his studio, mainly through Vladimir Yavachev, and on the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the artist. That was the first comprehensive exhibition of the two artists in Bulgaria and the list of works was compiled by Christo himself. The visitors saw over 130 original, signed and numbered prints and multiples by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, as well as photographs of their works by Wolfgang Volz.

The exhibition Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Life=Work=Projects will give us an opportunity to see again the various projects of the artists realized over the decades of their lives. There will also be a chance to “enter” the studio of the artists where their whole working process takes place: to “witness” their meetings with politicians and the people; to get a feeling for the ideas and the inspiration; for their immense input of energy and labor as well as patience and perseverance needed to accomplish an artistic vision.

Christo passed in 2020, shortly before his 85^th birthday. The last project that will be completed by his team is the L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped in Paris. The initial idea is from 1961 and it will be realized in 2021. Thus another of Christo’s dreams will become a reality 60 years later. Everyone will be able to see it although for a short time – for 16 days between September 18^th and October 3^rd. This is a project we can still experience together on location although without its author.

This living art work, which marks the end of the road for Christo and will be completed in honor of the internationally famous artist, inspired us to prepare and exhibition with the photographs of Wolfgang Volz – the artist who has become an indelible part of the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

About Wolfgang Volz 

Wolfgang Volz has worked with Christo and Jeanne-Claude as the exclusive photographer of their works since 1971. He was also project director (with Roland Specker) for Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971–95 and (with Josy Kraft) for Wrapped Trees, Riehen, Switzerland, 1997–98, and was in charge of The Wall – 13,000 Oil Barrels, Gasometer Oberhausen, Germany, 1998–99 and Big Air Package, Gasometer Oberhausen, Germany, 2010–13. His close collaboration has resulted in many books and more than 300 exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world.

The exhibition Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Life=Work=Projects present forty-seven color and black and white large format photographs. Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Life=Work=Projects is curated by Matthias Koddenberg.

A catalogue and accompanying events – films, lectures, tours with the curators – will complement the exhibition organised by the Sofia Municipality within the framework of the project Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Encounters without Parting.

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