Beschreibung:

Property from a Private German CollectionChristo1935 - 2020Wrapped Reichstag (Project for Berlin)signed and dated 1994; signed and dated 1994 on the reversegraphite, charcoal, wax crayon, pastel, fabric, photograph by Wolfgang Volz and collage on paper laid down on boardFramed: 28.5 by 22 cm., 11¼ by 8¾ in.
The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by the Christo Estate, Paris.Condition reportTo request a condition report for this lot, please contact Christine.Senft@Sothebys.com.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceAlexander Fils, Dusseldorf Kunsthandlung Wild, Lahr Acquired from the above by the present ownerCatalogue noteOn June 24, 1995 a total of 90 professional climbers as well as 120 installation workers wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin. The wrapped Reichstag represents not only 24 years of efforts in the lives of the artists but also years of teamwork.The Reichstag building was not only a sign of democracy but the seat of German parliament – it was covered with 100,000 square meters of silver - gray fabric and tied by 15 kilometers of blue rope. During the Cold War, the Reichstag was under the jurisdiction of both East and West Berlin authorities. Due to the tension between both governments, the project to wrap the building was rejected three times. It was only after the Reunification of Germany and the reinstatement of the Reichstag as the national seat of parliament that the project was accepted. Nearly a quarter of a century later.
By wrapping everyday objects, Christo deprived them of their actual function. The wrapping of the Reichstag brought certain softness and lightness to one of the greatest monumental powers. Christo wanted the wrapping to symbolize the unification of Germany. 
Receiving so many positive reactions, the project was asked to be extended. After the artists unwrapped the Reichstag, it was important to them that people understood that by making the wrapping only temporary it challenged peoples belief in the mortality of art. 
Even though the wrapped Reichstag was a temporary project, the present work makes it somewhat everlasting. Wrapped Reichstag (Project Berlin) shows a piece of fabric that was used to wrap the Reichstag accompanying the sketches for the project.