Christo and Jeanne-Claude: A Personal Reflection
Growing up surrounded by art, I was fortunate to meet many visionary artists who would shape the course of contemporary art. Among the most unforgettable were Christo and Jeanne-Claude—pioneers of conceptual and environmental art, and, to me, personal inspirations. I first met them through my father, Lieven De Buck, who ran a publishing and printing house focused on art catalogs and editions. From a young age, I witnessed their boundless creativity and relentless commitment to realizing what often seemed impossible.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude were more than just remarkable artists—they embodied boldness, perseverance, and poetic defiance. Their passion left a deep impression on me, and their presence at my wedding remains one of my most cherished memories, a testament to the profound personal connections that art can foster.
Their projects transformed not just landscapes and cityscapes, but our collective imagination. Over the years, I’ve seen their works placed in extraordinary collections from Belgium to the United States. Their monumental installations—often decades in the making—demonstrated a rare combination of vision, patience, and purpose.
This year, 2025, marks a milestone: the 90th anniversary of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s birth (both born on June 13, 1935), along with significant anniversaries of three of their most iconic projects:
- 20 years since The Gates in New York City (February)
- 30 years since Wrapped Reichstag in Berlin (June)
- 40 years since The Pont Neuf Wrapped in Paris (September)
Earlier this year, to celebrate their anniversary, The Shed in New York City hosted an incredible exhibition titled Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City. It served as a powerful tribute to their artistic legacy—and a reminder of how public art, even in its unrealized form, can unite communities and transform the everyday into the extraordinary.
For me, Christo and Jeanne-Claude were not only legends of the art world but living presences in my own journey. Whether hearing firsthand about the bureaucratic challenges of wrapping the Reichstag, or watching sketches of works that would later alter the fabric of cities, I was captivated by their determination and audacity. Their art was never just about aesthetics—it was about transformation, belief, and creating the extraordinary from the everyday.
Their spirit continues to influence my work today. At De Buck Gallery, their legacy is part of our DNA—reminding us to challenge convention, embrace scale, and trust in long-term vision.
At The Armory Show 2025, De Buck Gallery is proud to present a curated selection of works by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, celebrating their enduring impact. The booth will feature original works and prints from iconic projects, both realized and unrealized ones, including Over the River, The Gates, The Mastaba, and L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped. Each piece pays homage to their grandeur and ephemerality—a reminder that while their works may have been temporary, their influence is lasting.
—David De Buck
De Buck Gallery will be bringing a selection of works by Christo and Jeanne-Claude to The Armory Show 2025. Visit the artist page for more information on the life and works of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
