Christo & Jeanne-Claude's L’Arc de Triomph, Wrapped, given New Life by Parley for the Oceans

During its 16-day lifespan, 6 million people viewed the work and more than half a billion experienced it through media sources, contributing to the radiance of post-pandemic Paris. The project made possible thanks to a dedicated team under the direction of Vladimir Yavachev, is now in its final phase of being repurposed in collaboration with global environmental organization Parley for the Oceans.

As done for past projects by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, all of the materials used to create L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped are being reused, upcycled, and recycled. The wood and steel used for the project’s substructures have already been reused by Les Charpentiers de Paris, ArcelorMittal and Derichebourg Environnement respectively. The 25,000 square meters (269,098 square feet) of silvery blue polypropylene fabric and 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) of red polypropylene rope have been processed by Parley for the Oceans and the materials are now moving into the design and production phase.

“Two years after the installation of the ephemeral work of art L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, I am delighted that our collaboration with the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation is continuing, giving a second life to the materials used for this extraordinary project,” acknowledged Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris. “Thanks to the organization Parley for the Oceans, whom I'd like to thank most warmly, the fabric and ropes will be recycled into shade structures, tents or barnums for our next major events in Paris, in particular the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a very fine example of the art world’s ability to adapt to climate challenges.”This recycling effort is made possible with the help of Parley for the Oceans and its partners.  

Image :Recycling of the fabric and ropes used for “L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped” — Photo: Courtesy Parley for the Oceans © 2023 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation