
Christo and Jeanne-Claude were the artistic duo Christo Javacheff (1935–2020) and Jeanne-Claude (1935–2009). Known for their monumental environmental works such as Pont Neuf Wrapped, in Paris, Wrapped Reichstag, in Berlin, and The Gates in New York City’s Central Park, their installations have drawn attention due to their grand scale, their high-profile locations, and the often decades-long process required to manifest their visions.
“We borrow space and create gentle disturbances for a few days,” Christo once said about the blending of the artwork and the environment in which it is set. “We inherit everything that is inherent in the space to become the work of art. All our projects are like fabulous expeditions.”

After Jeanne-Claude’s death in 2009, and until his own death in 2020, Christo continued to exhibit the couple’s drawings and create new installations that would act as “free-floating thoughts.” He also pursued the duo’s unfinished works such as The Mastaba, a project for Abu Dhabi. Conceived in 1977, The Mastaba, when it is completed, will be the largest contemporary sculpture in the world in terms of volume. Made from 410,000 multi-colored barrels, and echoing Islamic architecture, the installation will form a colorful mosaic 492-feet high and nearly a 1000 feet long. It will be situated in the Liwa desert south of Abu Dhabi and carried out, per Christo’s wishes, by the artist’s nephew, Vladimir Yavachev.
Three of the artist duo’s iconic environmental works celebrated anniversaries in 2025: The 20th anniversary of The Gates, the 30th anniversary of Wrapped Reichstag, and the 40th anniversary of The Pont Neuf Wrapped.