Christo und Jeanne-Claude

For the first time in Germany, an exhibition explores the unrealized projects of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who gained fame primarily through their spectacular interventions in urban and natural landscapes. Yet for every high-profile large-scale project, there are more than twice as many proposals that failed to materialize and have consequently left a lesser imprint on the collective memory—including, for example, the wrapping of Picasso’s monumental sculpture *Bust of Sylvette* on the grounds of New York University.

A presentation of early multiples and wrapped objects at the start of the exhibition sheds light on Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artistic beginnings in Paris in the 1950s and 1960s, leading up to their move to New York in 1964. For the first time ever, nearly all of their early editioned objects are brought together, some of them in multiple copies, to highlight the unique serial nature of these editions. The exhibition powerfully demonstrates that failure is an integral part of success. Through their works in public spaces, Christo and Jeanne-Claude addressed political, economic, and social issues, often provoking vehement opposition.

Opening: April 3, 2026, 6 p.m.