Illumination in Place of Textile Material
Wrapping the Reichstag: A 90s Art Masterpiece and Political Statement
In the '90s, the iconic Reichstag building was swathed in a silvery cocoon, courtesy of the visionary duo, Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The installation, taking place from June 9 to 20, is set to resurrect this historic moment.
When asked about the resistance surrounding this "Wrapped Reichstag" project, photographer Wolfgang Volz, a key player in its execution, had a firm opinion:
The project's seeds were sown in 1971, when Michael S. Cullen, an American journalist and historian based in Berlin, sent a postcard of the Reichstag building to Christo with the suggestion to wrap it. The couple, who had previously adorned the Kunsthalle in Bern (1968) and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (1969) with fabric, soon collaborated with Volz, initializing the arduous journey to drape the Reichstag.
Christo, a Bulgarian native, had long been fascinated by the concept of object art – using everyday objects in a new artistic context. Nurtured by his membership in the sociologically-focused French group Nouveau Réalisme, he successfully translated his artistic ideas into grand-scale projects with his wife, Jeanne-Claude.
The road to the Reichstag was not an easy one, with numerous obstacles along the way. Bundestag President Karl Carstens (CDU) initially rejected the proposal in 1977, followed by Richard Stücklen (CSU) in 1981 and Philipp Jenninger (CDU) in 1987. It wasn't until 1991 that approval was granted, under the leadership of Rita Süssmuth (CDU) who had been Bundestag President for three years at that time. On February 25, 1994, she ultimately endorsed the project in the Bundestag, making it the first art piece the parliament ever approved.
The "Wrapped Reichstag GmbH" was then established, with Volz as its managing director and Frank Seltenheim at the helm of the technical execution. Seltenheim, a seasoned expert in high-altitude work, and his team of ninety climbers worked tirelessly for four months to affix the 70 tons of fabric to the Reichstag without any heavy machinery. "It was a unique assignment in every way," Seltenheim reflects.
Sparking a wave of fascination, the wrapped Reichstag drew an estimated five million visitors, from June 24 to July 7, 1995. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical, enveloping the building in an experience both haunting and enchanting.
Seltenheim recalls, "There was genuine magic emanating from the wrapping." He adds that the construction fence, meant to be removed after installation, miraculously remained intact. "I felt this artwork made people calm, even preventing violence."
But what was the meaning behind the wrapping? According to Volz, the fabric serves as an extension of our own skin, metaphorically wrapping the building as a whole. Fast forward to today, and the memory of that magic is what a new installation seeks to recreate.
Entrepreneur Roland Specker and cultural manager Peter Schwenkow have set out to project a simulation of the wrapping onto the western facade of the Reichstag, from June 9 to 20, from 9:30 PM to 1 AM. The exhibit, costing over 100,000 euros, aims at commemorating the original event while bridging the gap between the past and present.
Frank Seltenheim is torn about the new installation, asserting that it dilutes the essence of the artwork. He feels that Christo would have opposed the simulation. Yet, Seltenheim reveals, he is eager to reunite with the familiar faces who shared in the creation of a masterpiece.
In the absence of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, we can only wonder what they would say about this nostalgic revival. However, their legacy remains alive, encapsulating freedom, creativity, and engagement with their influential art installations.
"The 'Wrapped Reichstag' project in the 90s was not only an artwork but also a significant event in German politics, as it faced resistance from multiple politicians due to concerns about public reaction."
"The new installation, scheduled to take place from June 9 to 20 this year, is a tribute not only to the original event but also to the political and artistic legacy it leaves behind, sparking debates about its authenticity and impact."
