Wrapping the Arc de Triomphe

Some dreams become reality. Fabric is covering the Arc de Triomphe sixty years after Christo and Jeanne-Claude envisioned the project L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped. “L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped” is entirely funded by the Estate of Christo V. Javacheff through the sale of Christo’s works of art. It receives no public funds”.

Colomba Pinto in front of Arc de Triomphe Wrapped

In mid-August steel protective framing covered the arch. On Sunday, September 12, 25,000 square meters of fabric began its descent. By September 18, 3,000 meters of red cord will complete the package. This gift to Paris will stay wrapped until October 3.

The noisy roundabout will fall silent for the three weekends between September 18 and October 3. Only those who have the vaccination pass (pass sanitaire) will be allowed to walk around and through the arch.

I spoke with Colomba Pinto, engaged to provide information about the event in either Spanish, French or English. She gave me a brief rundown of the activity and statistics. She invited me to download the app guide from Apple or Google. The app, available in French and English) is being updated. Watch the time lapse video on the app. Bloomberg Connects is the name of the app and is the digital experience of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Another exhibition until October 2 featuring 24 panels of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s “Realized Projects” of on the Quai de la Megisserie (Chatelet ramp). The exhibition spans the six decades of their careers and their exhibitions around the world from 1961 to today. View the images on Paris.fr. Some of the panels include: “The Gates”, New York ; “The Floating Piers”, Italie ; “The Pont-Neuf Wrapped”, Paris ; “Wrapped Reichstag”, Berlin ; “Wrapped Coast”, Sydney ; “Surrounded Islands”, Miami.