Light installation at the Reichstag: homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude!

Light installation at the Reichstag: homage to Christo and Jeanne-Claude!

The light projection takes about ten minutes and will shed the west facade of the Reichstag into a silvery shining robe. The illumination is realized with the help of 24 strong projectors provided by Hans Böhlke Elektrotechnik. This creates slowly flashing lines, which gradually give the original work of art. This innovative representation reinterprets the historical event and thus captivates the audience.

Review of the covering of the Reichstag

The covering of the Reichstag by Christo and Jeanne-Claude was more than just a work of art; It was considered one of the first summer fairy tales of reunited Germany. The idea for the covering came about in 1971 and the approval of the project was a long process that ultimately only possible thanks to the choice of Rita Süssmuth as the Bundestag president and the fall of the wall in 1989. In February 1994, the Bundestag voted 292 to 223 votes for the realization of the plan. The artist couple financed the entire project through the sale of their works of art and required around 100,000 square meters of polypropylene fabric and 15.6 kilometers rope.

Christo, who died in 2020, and Jeanne-Claude, who died in 2009, were internationally known for their impressive wraps and installations. Their work with the Reichstag symbolized the connection between East and West and was perceived as an important cultural exchange after reunification. The Reichstag itself has an eventful history and was the scene of the proclam of the Republic in 1918 and the instrumental use by the Nazis during the Reichstag fire in 1933.

a special souvenir

The inauguration of this light projection could not come more appropriate, because on June 13th the 90th birthday of Christo and Jeanne-Claude would have been. This is an opportunity for the organizers and visitors to remember the inheritance of this extraordinary couple of artists and to reflect on the power of art in a historical context. The total cost of the current project amounts to about half a million euros, and it is emphasized that no taxpayers were used because everything is financed privately.

The square of the republic also invites you to nightly picnic during the event and thus creates an inviting ambience for visitors. Art continues to bloom in Berlin and ensures profound connections between the past and the present, while the city remembers its history and at the same time looks into a creative future.