Contemporary Art
Auction on Wednesday 5 July 2023 at 3pm
The Contemporary Art auction on 5 July will feature a selection of works ranging from the post-war period to the current contemporary scene. Collectors will discover 130 paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and multiples by leading artists such as Christo, Arman, Ladislas Pierre Kijno, Jean-Pierre Pincemin, Annette Messager, Jim Shaw, Wang Yan Cheng, Erro, L’Atlas and Zevs. Discover our online catalogue and immerse yourself in the eclectic world of our summer sale.
Over the River
Christo (1935-2020) and Jeanne-Claude (1935-2008)
Over The River project was born in 1992, seven years after Christo and Jeanne-Claude had directed the packing of the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and had both felt the same sense of wonder at the rippling, shimmering fabric reflecting the light of the Seine.
After several years of searching for a site, in the summers of 1992, 1993 and 1994, over fourteen thousand miles traveled in the Rocky Mountains, eighty-nine rivers surveyed in seven states, and six possible locations found, the Arkansas River in Colorado was finally selected for the project in 1996. The temporary installation, which was to stretch for 42 miles between Cañon City and Salida, consisted of huge silvery fabric panels that were to be suspended over eight distinct areas of the river to allow natural sunlight to filter through. The Arkansas River was chosen not only for its high banks to anchor the steel cables and stretch the fabric panels well above water level, but also for the road running alongside it and its waters used for rafting, to make the installation visually accessible from a many perspectives. Four full-scale tests were carried out, and the project evolved in line with the chief engineer’s recommendations. Dating from 2008, our project is the final version.
Although the project was conceived to blend seamlessly into the landscape without distorting it, it was highly controversial from the outset. After twenty years of discussions, drawings and supporting tests, Christo received all the necessary federal, state and local permits to realize Over The River in 2011, following an incredible Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) financed by the artist. Usually reserved for major infrastructures such as bridges or dams, the EIS for Over The River was the first ever completed for a work of art. In 2012, a new obstacle delayed the realization of the project. A local group, concerned about the ecological impact on wildlife, filed lawsuits against Colorado State Parks in state and federal courts. Although the Courts upheld the project’s approval in 2015, Christo, pending the outcome of an appeal challenging this 2015 decision, and after five years of legal arguments, decided to abandon his plan to drape the Arkansas River in 2017 in order to devote all his energy, time and resources to another project, The Mastaba, Project for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, an installation that was to be permanent and which he hoped would become a reality in his lifetime. His decision was also made in opposition to President Trump, because of the federally owned terrain. Although Christo had decided to walk away from Over The River, this project is emblematic of his work, his unwavering commitment to each project and the uncompromising integrity of his artistic vision.
ƒ CHRISTO (1935-2020) et JEANNE-CLAUDE (1935-2008)
Over The River (Project for Arkansas River, State of Colorado), 2008
Mine de plomb, pastel, crayon gras, fusain, peinture émaillée, fil de métal, tissu et photographie aérienne avec élévations topographiques sur carton, dans le cadre en bois et plexiglas de l’artiste, en deux parties
Signé et daté sur l’élément supérieur
Contresigné et daté au dos de chaque élément
Pencil, pastel, wax crayon, charcoal, enamel paint, metal wire, fabric and aerial photograph with topographic elevations on card in artist’s wooden and Plexiglas box frame, in two parts; signed and dated on the upper element; signed and dated on the reverse of each element
30,5 x 77,5 CM et 66,7 x 77,5 CM – 12 x 30 1/2 in. and 26 1/4 x 30 1/2 in.
80 000 / 120 000 €
Christo and Jeanne-Claude during the life-size test
for Over The River, Colorado, 1999
Photo (detail) : Wolfgang Volz
© 1999 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
Christo and Jeanne-Claude at the Arkansas River
working on the Over The River project
Colorado, August 2000
Photo (detail) : Sylvia Volz
© 2000 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
DISCOVER “CONTEMPORARY ART” AUCTION
Auction on Wednesday 5 July 2023 at 3pm CEST
Tajan, 37 rue des Mathurins, 75008 Paris
CONTACTS
Julie Ralli
Department director
+33 1 53 30 30 55 – [email protected]
Marion Richard
Specialist
+33 1 53 30 30 56 – [email protected]