CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE UNWRAPPED
In 1981 two artists -- Christo and Jeanne-Claude -- proposed an installation in New York’s Cent... read full description
reviews
Dec 25, 2008
Roxanne Hsu
rated it: 
I am speechless and teary-eyed, reading and having finished reading this thrilling little biography of Christo and Jeanne Claude and of their art. Greenberg and Jordan did not disappoint -- as always, their words are as vivacious and artistic as the artists they chronicle. One cannot help but being completely infected by the passion from all of those involved: the artists and the biographers.
And to this one, since it is something I deeply experienced, with friends, students, and More...
And to this one, since it is something I deeply experienced, with friends, students, and More...
Jan 29, 2011
Claire
rated it: 
A great little volume. In essence, it's a picture book for adults though younger people could read it too.
It describes the development of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's art project The Gates which was set up for 16 days in Central Park in 2005.
The book also gives an overview of their backgrounds: born on the same day in 1935 in different European countries, both affected by World War II. Fascinating how they met and how their lives as married co-artists evolved.
What's More...
It describes the development of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's art project The Gates which was set up for 16 days in Central Park in 2005.
The book also gives an overview of their backgrounds: born on the same day in 1935 in different European countries, both affected by World War II. Fascinating how they met and how their lives as married co-artists evolved.
What's More...
Mar 18, 2009
Julie
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This is the story of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, two artists most recently known for the 2005 exhibit in Central Park called "The Gates". The book gives a short background of each artist and discusses the projects they have done leading up to The Gates. The photographs are wonderful and there are many of them. Whether you are a fan of their work or not, this book conveys the message that art does not have to be a painting or even permanent. Hopefully this will open the eyes of child
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Mar 31, 2009
Ramarie
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fascinating! I remember hearing about this when it debuted in NY. The artists are so committed to the projects, taking years to get permission to do many of them. The photographs are great. One of the quotes from Christo is "All of our projects have this fragile quality. They will be gone tomorrow. They have total freedom. That is why they cannot stay. Because freedom is the enemy of possession and possession is equal to permance. We have to have freedom with no strings attached."
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Jul 29, 2011
This is a children's book looking not just at the New York City project that Christo and Jeanne Claude did in Central Park, but also at their history as artists, some of the projects they had done before this one, where they are from, and some of the back story to getting this 23 miles of gates up in NYC, and then down and recycled 16 days later. I thought it was well written for the child audience, and intriguing--it would draw a child's imagination and allow them to dream a little within the a
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Dec 24, 2009
Christian
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Another book on the DCF list. This one details the career of the artists responsible for creating those orange gates in NYC a few years ago.
My wife recently defined the purpose of art for me to be the ability to cause a reaction in the one who views it. I can't say that I like all of what I saw in here, but it did all cause some sort of reaction in me.
One man's "art" is another man's "what the hell is that?".
My wife recently defined the purpose of art for me to be the ability to cause a reaction in the one who views it. I can't say that I like all of what I saw in here, but it did all cause some sort of reaction in me.
One man's "art" is another man's "what the hell is that?".
Nov 22, 2008
Sam
rated it:
Another great non-fiction title for older kids. I had never heard of Christo and Jeanne Claude, a husband-wife artistic team that create temporary, larger-than-life exhibits. This book gives a pretty good overview of their work, focusing mostly on their orange "Gates" in Central Park (an exhibit which lasted only 16 days). The photographs are wonderful and the information very interesting.
Aug 29, 2008
John
rated it:
Greenburg and Jordan really capture the grandeur of The Gates, The Wrapped Reichstag and the rest in this admiring, beautifully illustrated tribute. And even readers who aren't big fans of art that doesn't tell a story (like me) are going to come away admiring Christo and Jeanne-Claude for the strength and purity of their creative vision.
"It has no purpose. It is not a symbol. It is not a message." So says Jeanne-Claude about The Gates---but it applies to all of the pair's More...
"It has no purpose. It is not a symbol. It is not a message." So says Jeanne-Claude about The Gates---but it applies to all of the pair's More...
Feb 27, 2009
Denise
rated it:
This is an insightful look into the lives of these well-known, and sometimes controversial artists. There is biographical information on both Christo and Jean-Claude, however, it's main focus is their work. The photographs are beautiful, colorful and even awe-inspiring.
Oct 22, 2009
Scarlett
rated it:
I had never heard of these artists before. I think their work is really amazing. Hunter and I read the book together over lunch and I think it's really awesome that there is a children's book about this kind of art.
Aug 20, 2011
A lovely, well designed picturebook about the work of the artists responsible for envisioning and implementing the Gates installation in NY's Central Park.
May 15, 2010
Camille
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A nice introductory overview for kids of Christo & Jeanne Claude's artwork, focusing on the Central Park Gates.
May 28, 2009
Ginny
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The amazing story of what an amazing couple started on there own , and now do it together?
Nov 20, 2010
GraceAnne
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This is what I wrote in our Solstice Letter in 2005:
The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Central Park were a party for New York City, and they were joyous and beautiful and lots of fun.
We watched "The Gates" documentary tonight and it sent me to this wondrous fine picture book, which tells the story with lucid prose, excellent photographs, and a delectable array of facts, figures, quotes, and references.
The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Central Park were a party for New York City, and they were joyous and beautiful and lots of fun.
We watched "The Gates" documentary tonight and it sent me to this wondrous fine picture book, which tells the story with lucid prose, excellent photographs, and a delectable array of facts, figures, quotes, and references.
Aug 31, 2008
Monica
rated it:
Once upon a time there were two wild-eyed and wild-haired artists who had a vision for Central Park. I loved their other work, but never thought they'd get to do The Gates. But they did and I love them for it. I know this was a book long in the works and my hat is off to the co-authors for pulling it off. It is wonderful. Love the design and the photographs most of all.
Jan 28, 2010
Allison
rated it:
Artists create artworks - temporary, joyous, extraordinary - that change communities' landscapes. Their process and relationship with the public is as much art as the finished product.
Jan 13, 2009
Gorgeous and informative introduction to the work of this married art team, with an emphasis on the NYC Central Park Gates installation. See blog entry for more opinion: http://mibookends.blogspot.com/2009/01/c...
Feb 06, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
A brief, fascinating look at the lives, art and motivation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, complete with great photos of them and their work.
Sep 06, 2011
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