The Arc de Triomphe packed by Christo, it’s over: ten images of the dismantling – archyworldys

After two weeks of exposure, the 25,000 m2 of fabric that wrapped the Arc de Triomphe according to the project of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, both died before its finalization, began to be withdrawn this Monday … under the amused gaze of Parisians and tourists, who did not fail to immortalize the moment with their smartphone.

Like spider-men, the rope access technicians rappelled down the facade of the monument at Place de l’Étoile to undo the huge silver tarpaulins that covered it. For two weeks the public came in large numbers, especially during the last weekend when the work was on the program of the Nuit Blanche 2021. The long-standing project, since it germinated in the minds of the artist couple in 1961, repeatedly rejected, has aroused the controversial. In a few days, everything will have been dismantled, recycled tarpaulins and ropes and as for the Pont Neuf, the packed Arc de Triomphe will only be a memory.

1. A plane hits the blue sky. The unpacking of the Arc de Triomphe started on Monday.

2. At the top of the Champs Elysées, tourists cross the avenue to immortalize the moment in selfie.

3. The rope access technicians began on Monday morning to abseil the facade of the monument to undo the 25,000 m2 tarpaulin.

4. The site is closed to the public, who must keep a distance.

5. Napoleon, sculpted as a Caesar on the south-eastern pillar, sees the light of day.

6. The tarpaulin and the red ropes, which wrapped the monument, will be recycled.

7. Tourists, rare since confinement, made the detour to Place de l’Étoile so as not to miss the event.

8. Huge nacelles accompany the dismantling. The tarp now looks like huge apartment curtains.

9. The event is sure to be very Instagrammable.

10. In a few hours, all of this will be just a memory.