CHRISTO ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT
(Reuters)
World famous artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude have today announced a new
project that is slated to be begin immediately. Responding to U.S. Homeland
Defense Secretary Ridge's call for artists to rally the cause through
anti-terrorist art, Christo has received permission to wrap the White House
in Washington D.C., using duct tape and plastic sheeting. Much like the
artist's 1995 project "Wrapped Reichstag" in Berlin, "Wrapped White House"
will, according to the artists' plan, seal the building and those inside. Of
the project the artists said, "We are very excited to use our art-making
methods in the international fight against terrorists. By wrapping the White
House we hope to help keep terrorism under wraps, so to speak." Unlike
"Wrapped Reichstag" which was a temporary project, "Wrapped White House"
will be the artists' first permanent work of public art.
100,000 square meters (1,076,000 square feet) of clear high-strength
polypropylene plastic, and 15,600 meters (51,181 fee! t) of silver duct
tape, 13.2 cm (4 inch) wide, will be used for the wrapping of the White
House. The work will be completed in as little as one week. The artists
have contacted other artists across the U.S. who are now en route to
Washington D.C. in order to finish this work in record time. Materials have
been provided without charge by the German Government. Recalling the
"Wrapped Reichstag," German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder stated, "Wrapping
the symbol of German Democracy was a defining moment for the new Germany.
Wrapping the White House will likewise be a defining moment as democracy is
restored in America."
CC |
