L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

The unparalleled creative team of Christo and Jeanne-Claude may no longer be with us on this plane of existence, but their legacy continues to move us mere mortals. Thankfully, one of their artistic dreams came true posthumously as of September 18th of this year. The Arc de Triomphe currently wears the shimmering silvery-blue robes of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s ultimate tribute to the city of Paris, but only for a mere sixteen days. The cascading fabric is held in place by red ropes, completing the homage to Christo’s adopted homeland by referencing the colors of the French flag.

This past spring, I taught a class via Zoom titled Art Theory Overdrive. In this class we addressed a myriad of art theoretical questions regarding the following topics: Words/Language, Land Art/Earthwork, Sculpture & Installation and Public Art. For the Land Art/Earthwork topic, we discussed the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude and what their work does to draw attention to the monuments and environments that they choose to include or utilize.

We also discussed how these elaborate projects take years of planning, organizing and execution. Then, once completed, the artwork exists for a few brief weeks. Why? Why not extend the run of the artwork so that as many people as possible can experience it?

It all has to do with being temporary.

I believe that the power of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work is that it only lasts for a short amount of time. The artwork’s physical existence is fleeting, but the memory of it and the emotions felt because of it last forever. Perhaps, those feelings and memories are the real artwork and, if so, both the artwork and Christo and Jeanne-Claude are made eternal.

For more information on L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, please visit…

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/arc-de-triomphe-is-wrapped-in-fabric-just-as-late-artists-christo-jeanne-claude-planned-it-180978664/

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I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.