Tuesday, June 10
The Reichstag wrapped again, 30 years later
The original artwork was a sensation, becoming the most spectacular work ever created by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude and a symbol of the enigmatic new freedoms afforded by reunified Germany. Now, 30 years on from that original event, the Reichstag is bedecked once again—albeit this time only with a projection. Every evening from Monday night until June 20, Germany’s parliament building will be lit up with a giant illumination of the famous artwork, making it appear as though the building is once again wrapped. Projections will run after dark, from approximately 21:30 until 01:00 each night.
The project will cost around half a million euros, a sum entirely covered by the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, headed by the Bulgarian artist’s nephew, Vladimir Yavachev.
Although the artwork became iconic almost immediately after its unveiling, it nearly never happened. The project was rejected three times in the Bundestag before finally being approved in February 1994, when it passed with 296 votes in favour and 228 against. The wrapping was installed in 1995, and the historic building disappeared for two weeks behind 100,000 square metres of silvery fabric.
