Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Wrapped Reichstag. Berlin 1971–1995

Edition of 5,000

Hardcover in slipcase, 11.4 x 10.6 in., 11.81 lb, 700 pages

US$ 2,000

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One of the most exhilarating art events of all time—after years of artistic and political debate, and 24 years of preparation, Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapped the Berlin Reichstag in over 100,000 square meters of fabric, drawing all eyes and five million visitors to the German capital. Developed by the artists themselves, this is the definitive guide to one of the cultural highlights of the 20th century.

Limited Collector’s Edition of 5,000 copies worldwide, each signed and numbered by Christo, Jeanne-Claude, and Wolfgang Volz, and including a piece of the original material used in the wrapping

Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971–1995

Follow the project from its birth to its completion 20 years later

“All our work is about freedom.” Christo and Jeanne-Claude conceived the idea of wrapping the Berlin Reichstag back in 1971, but it took until the summer of 1995, when for two weeks the German capital seemed the very center of the art world, for the scheme to come to fruition.

More than five million visitors witnessed the final making of one of the most exhilarating artworks ever created—a work that had been 24 years in the making, years of not only artistic and political debate. This unique document, developed and designed by the artists and their project coordinator Wolfgang Volz, demonstrates with sketches, preliminary drawings, documents, and photos on 700 pages how a vision was realized, a vision that took the world’s breath away and remains one of the most memorable art events of all time.

Limited Collector’s Edition of 5,000 copies worldwide, clothbound in a slipcase, each signed and numbered by Christo, Jeanne-Claude, and Wolfgang Volz, and including a piece of the original material used in the wrapping (22.5 x 22.5 cm)

The artists

Christo and Jeanne-Claude began their collaboration in 1961, and lived in New York City since 1964. Jeanne-Claude died in 2009; Christo died in 2020. Their large-scale projects include Wrapped Coast, Australia, 1968–69; Valley Curtain, Rifle, Colorado, 1970–72; Running Fence, Sonoma and Marin Counties, California, 1972–76; Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Florida, 1980–83; The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975–85; The Umbrellas, Japan–USA, 1984–91; Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971–95; Wrapped Trees, Riehen, Switzerland, 1997–98; The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979–2005; The Floating Piers, Lake Iseo, Italy, 2014–16, The London Mastaba, Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park, 2016–18, and L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, Paris, 1961–2021.

The photographer

Wolfgang Volz has worked with Christo and Jeanne-Claude as the exclusive photographer of their works since 1971. He was also project director (with Roland Specker) for Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971–95 and (with Josy Kraft) for Wrapped Trees, Riehen, Switzerland, 1997–98, and was in charge of The Wall – 13,000 Oil Barrels, Gasometer Oberhausen, Germany, 1998–99 and Big Air Package, Gasometer Oberhausen, Germany, 2010–13. His close collaboration has resulted in many books and more than 300 exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world.

The author

David Bourdon was an art critic who was closely involved in the innovative Manhattan art world since the early 1960's. Bourdon wrote for many art magazines and was a frequent contributor to Art in America. Among his books were studies of the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Alexander Calder, and Andy Warhol.