‘L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped’ unveiled in Paris

Paris, Sep 12 (EFE).- A 140-member team including 95 steeplejacks on Sunday began the mammoth task of wrapping the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as part of an art project envisioned by Christo before he died last year.

The maneuver to unfurl the fabric to cover the four façades of the world famous arch is expected to be concluded on Monday, according to the organizers of the installation, which will be opened to the public between 18 September and 3 October.

It “is one of the most spectacular moments of the installation,” because it shapes the vision that was “a life dream” of Christo, said his nephew Vladimir Javacheff.

The artist, whose full name was Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, died last year shortly after the French authorities granted the final permits for the project, leaving the mission to his nephew, with whom he worked for 31 years.

The project will cover the Arc de Triomphe with 25,000 recyclable square meters of recyclable polypropylene, metallic gray fabric, where red ribbons will be placed in a style resembling gift wrapping paper. EFE

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