Wrapping Berlin's Iconic Reichstag: A Silver-Clad Symbol of Hope and Struggle
Mystery unfolds: House vanishes, sole artifact left behind is a photograph. - Photo left standing, property sold off
Let's talk about the mind-blowing transformation of the Berlin Reichstag slice of history, wrapped in shimmering silver fabric, 30 years ago. It's a fascinating tale, my friend, involving an artists' couple, Christo, and his wife Jeanne-Claude, and a journey rife with debates, criticisms, and meticulous planning that made this massive project a freaking symbol of a renewed city five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
For five glorious days, from June 24 to July 7, 1995, our beloved building disappeared beneath a whopping 100,000 square meters of sparkling silver fabric. The genius idea actually came all the way back in 1971 from US historian Michael Cullen to Christo, but the successful execution of the "Wrapped Reichstag" only happened after 24 years of doubts, opposition, and intense planning.
In divided Berlin, the initial reception was cold. The art project got rejected thrice. But with the right people in power, like Rita Süssmuth, who became Bundestag President in 1988, and the fall of the Berlin Wall a year later, the scene was set for the brilliant transformation.
Süssmuth, along with Willy Brandt (SPD), championed the project they saw as a testament of peace and culture, a stark contrast to the darker image of the country during turbulent times. However, many prominent politicians, such as Helmut Kohl (CDU), Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU), and Angela Merkel (CDU), at the time Minister of the Environment, spoke against the art project. Schäuble warned that these artistic experiments at the heart of German democracy could make citizens question the historical dignity of parliament and culture.
But the Reichstag holds more than just political significance. It's a monumental representation of turning points in German history—from the seat of parliament in the German Empire and Weimar Republic to the opening declaration of the first German democracy, the fire-setting scene of the National Socialist power grab, and the celebration of German unity after the Wall's fall.
The exciting journey through the political labyrinth culminated in a 70-minute dramatic debate, resulting in a vote in favor of the wrapping by a margin of 292 to 223, thanks largely to Christo and Jeanne-Claude's unyielding determination. They met with over 350 members of parliament, delivered their pitch, and talked their way to the public's heart through numerous school presentations, kindergarten visits, and events.
The long, winding process, involving hundreds of climbers and workers, was no obstacle for the couple. It was a vital part of their art!
"The lengthy process gave the work its meaning," said Christo's nephew and project manager Vladimir Yavachev, during a visit to the SoHo studio where all Christo’s projects have been created since 1964. They created their masterpieces primarily for themselves, according to Yavachev. Christo labored relentlessly, and Jeanne-Claude took care of the sale of old designs to finance the projects while coordinating international projects. While the political aspect often originated from the location, at its core, it was always about art for art's sake, with no political agenda.
The choice of location determined the symbolic power of the work. "The only place in the world where East and West meet so dramatically is Berlin," Christo himself explained to the German Press Agency, just before his passing. "That's why I wanted to wrap the Reichstag, the only building that was under the control of all four victorious powers." The project also bore a personal political significance for Christo, who had fled his Bulgarian homeland to the West in 1956.
Other works by the couple were significantly political due to their locations. For example, their "The Gates" project in New York was realized after 26 years of planning and lobbying, which took place three and a half years after the 9/11 attacks. "It was the first time New Yorkers looked up to the sky with joy again," said Yavachev.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the wrapping, Yavachev and his team are focusing on innovative forms of remembering the artists—not replicas of the actual works, but immersive experiences designed to be accessible, free, and public, just as the artists intended.
"Nostalgia was foreign to them, but what mattered was that art in public spaces triggered conversations," Yavachev shared. "The wrappings helped us see the familiar in a new light. If we can preserve that, I'd be very happy."
So, there you have it! The captivating tale of the "Wrapped Reichstag," which remains, not as a physical structure, but in the hearts, minds, and memories of the millions who have witnessed this fascinating artistic journey.
The Commission's proposal for a common position on the labelling of foodstuffs could be compared to the politics and debates surrounding the artwork "Wrapped Reichstag." Just like how the project faced opposition and criticisms, the proposal may encounter resistance due to the sensitive nature of food regulations.
On a more general note, the success of the "Wrapped Reichstag" serves as an illustration of the power of art, especially in the realm of politics and culture, to inspire hope and encourage renewal, much like how the fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for this monumental artwork.
