After 45 Years of Waiting, Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Mastaba Sculpture Will Finally Rise Up!
Visionary Artists' Monumental Dream Comes to Life in the Heart of the Desert
The Mastaba, a monumental art project envisioned by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 1977, is set to become the largest contemporary sculpture in the world. If realized, it will be made from 410,000 multi-coloured barrels and form a colourful mosaic, echoing Islamic architecture. The Mastaba will stand 150 meters (492 feet) high, 300 meters (984 feet) long at the vertical walls, and 225 meters (738 feet) wide at the 60-degree slanted walls. Its proposed location is in the desert of Liwa, approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Abu Dhabi, and will be Christo and Jeanne-Claude's only permanent, large-scale public artwork.
The colours and positioning of the barrels were selected by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 1979 when they first visited the United Arab Emirates. The artists returned many times, forging a longstanding friendship with the people of Abu Dhabi. In 2012, The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award, an annual award funded by the artists, was established to nurture artistic talent in the United Arab Emirates, under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude's projects have always been self-financed and do not require government funding, and The Mastaba is no exception. The artists' nephew, Vladimir Yavachev, who has worked with them for 30 years and most recently directed the L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped project, will carry out their final project. Once government approval is granted, the construction period will take at least three years.
The Mastaba will be a landmark of the 21st century, similar to the Eiffel Tower. It will also be the artists' only permanent, large-scale public artwork. The Mastaba is not only a monumental art project but also a reflection of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's relationship with the people of Abu Dhabi. It is a testament to their dedication to nurturing artistic talent in the United Arab Emirates, and to their legacy as artists who changed the landscape of contemporary art.
Christo The Mastaba (Project for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)_Drawing 2013 in two parts: Pencil, charcoal, pastel, wax crayon, enamel paint, hand-drawn map and technical data, and tape. Private collection, Photo: André Grossmann © 2013 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
The Mastaba will be a unique work of art, with its colourful mosaic of multi-coloured barrels echoing Islamic architecture. Its size and scale are unprecedented, making it the largest contemporary sculpture in the world. The Mastaba will undoubtedly become a destination for art lovers and tourists alike, further putting Abu Dhabi on the map as a hub for art and culture.
Christo Abu Dhabi Mastaba (Project for United Arab Emirates) Drawing 1977 Pencil, charcoal, wax crayon, and pastel 56 x 71 cm (22 x 28 in). Collection Lilja Art Fund Foundation, Switzerland. Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 1977 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude's legacy as artists who pushed the boundaries of contemporary art is already cemented. The Mastaba will be a fitting final project, demonstrating their commitment to art and friendship with the people of Abu Dhabi. It will be a symbol of their dedication to nurturing artistic talent in the United Arab Emirates, and their lasting impact on the art world.
The Mastaba in comparison to the Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Cheops), Egypt. © Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
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Cover photo: Christo in his studio with preparatory works for The Mastaba, New York City, April 15, 2012_Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 2012 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
Text: © Official Press Release.
