The family of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude announced early today that Jeanne-Claude died Wednesday night in New York City after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm and its medical complications. Jeanne-Claude became more of a "name" in the media during 2005's The Gates installation in Central Park, but she had always worked in tandem with the more famous Christo. Their "wrapping" and large-scale outdoor projects are certainly well known in artistic circles: Wrapped Coast, Little Bay (1969), Running Fence, Sonoma and Marin Counties (1976), Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay (1983) and The Umbrellas, Japan-U.S. (1991) are just a few of the projects whose titles bring a nod of recognition.
Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon was born to a French military family in Casablanca on June 13, 1935--supposedly the same day that Christo Vladimirov Javacheff was born in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. The couple met in Paris in 1958, and spent the next 51 years in an artistic, business, matrimonial and parental partnership. It is difficult to contemplate not seeing them together. For those of us wondering what will become of the planned Over the River and Mastaba projects, the artists' website simply and poignantly says this:
"Christo is deeply saddened by the passing of his wife, partner and collaborator and is committed to honor the promise they made to each other many years ago: The art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude will continue."
I've heard gossip, over the years, that Jeanne-Claude could be either the soul of graciousness or the "enforcer" of the duo--a small woman with a short temper and unapologetically, unnaturally Fauve-orange hair who'd crack the whip on installation sites, keep track of finances and grant (or not) media access to Christo. I don't know if the gossipers were accurate in their recollections, but I hope they were and here's why: good for her if she took on those roles. It's quite the rare Venn diagram where an artist not only makes art, but understands money, public relations and how to act like a field marshal while protecting another artist's productive time--especially another artist whose fame is greater. I'm happy thinking that Jeanne-Claude eventually got due recognition for being at least half of the artistic process the world thinks of as "Christo," so will say it again: good for her.
Related Reading:
- Christo Bio
- The Gates, 2005 - A Short Walking Tour
- Christo and Jeanne-Claude - Official Website
Image caption: Artists Jeanne-Claude and husband Christo, recipients of the Peopling of America Award, address the audience during the awards ceremony on Ellis Island April 19, 2005 in New York City. © Stephen Chernin/Getty Images
