CHRISTO (1935-2020) - Lot 110

CHRISTO (1935-2020) Wrapped Trees, Project for the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris (Pl. from the portfolio Five Urban Projects, Munich/New York, ed. Schellmann, 1985). Photograph (by Jeanne-Claude), collotype, silkscreen and transparent polyethylene collage. Sight: 35 x 27 cm. Schellmann 124. Very fine proof on vellum, one of 20 artist's proofs, signed and justified "AP 10/20" in pencil. Margins. Final edition of 100 proofs. Framed (not examined out of frame). This project to wrap 330 trees around the Avenue des Champs-Élysées was envisaged by the artist as early as 1968. A landscape gardener confirmed that the thin canvas could be wrapped in winter, protecting the trees from the cold, as was the practice in Japan. While Christo was in Australia working on his Wrapped Coast project, he was informed that the City of Paris had refused, preferring to use traditional illuminations to decorate the trees.