Christo
The Wall (Project for a Wrapped Roman Wall) Porta Pinciana delle mura Aureliane, Via Vittorio Veneto and Villa Borghese
1974
Pencil, charcoal, pastel, thread and staples, collaged on card on plastic. 56 x 71 cm. Framed under plexiglass. Signed and dated 'Christo 1974' and with details on the project inscribed 'THE WALL (PROJECT FOR A WRAPPED ROMAN WALL) "PORTA PINCIANA" DELLE MURA AURELIANE, VIA VITTORIO VENETO AND VILLA BORGHESE'. - Minor traces of age.
“The reason for the project at the Porta Pinciana near Villa Borghese in Rome was an invitation to the large Contemporanea exhibition, which took place in the underground car park of Villa Borghese. The wall (Mura Aureliane) is a very characteristic Roman structure that literally divides the city of Rome into two halves in the center. Christo's project related to the section of the wall called Porta Pinciana, which is located between Via Vittorio Veneto and Villa Borghese. At this point, the masonry is up to 15 meters high. Car roads pass through the Porta Pinciana and the covering also had the effect of darkening these passages. The change from light to dark was particularly intense when driving through. In addition, the lightly covered fabric had a very organic effect and was reminiscent of waterfalls. The work remained in place for 40 days during the Contemporanea exhibition from January to February.” (Evelyn Weiss, Projekte in der Stadt 1961-1981, in: Christo, Projekte in der Stadt 1961-1981, exhib.cat. Museum Ludwig Cologne, 1981, p.81).
Provenance
Private collection, Switzerland (around 1980); private collection, Hamburg