Skip to Main Content

 Admission is always freeOpen today: 10:00  to 5:00  Directions             Play Artle            

                  -  Visit                      - Visit
                    - Getting Here
                    - Accessibility
                    - Tours, Guides & Maps
                    - Food & Drink
                    - Gallery Shops
                    - Visitor Policies 
                  -  Collection                      - Collection
                    - Highlights
                    - Search the Collection
                    - Artists Search
                    - Acquisition Highlights
                    - Stories
                    - Games 
                  -  Exhibitions                      - Exhibitions
                    - Current
                    - Special Installations
                    - Upcoming
                    - On Tour
                    - Past 
                  -  Calendar                      - Calendar
                    - Films
                    - Performances
                    - Talks
                    - Guided Tours
                    - After Hours
                    - Fun for Kids
                    - Festivals
                    - Workshops 
                  -  Learn                      - Learn
                    - Teachers
                    - Families
                    - Teens
                    - Adults
                    - Learning Resources
                    - Music Programs
                    - Film Programs 
                  -  Conservation                      - Conservation
                    - Projects
                    - Publications
                    - Resources 
                  -  Research                      - Research
                    - The Center
                    - Publications
                    - Make an Appointment
                    - Archives
                    - Library
                    - NGA Online Editions 
                  -  Support                      - Support
                    - Donate Now
                    - National Membership
                    - Circle Membership
                    - Leadership Groups
                    - Planned Giving
                    - Major Giving
                    - Gifts of Art 
                  -  Shop                      - Shop
                    - Books
                    - Jewelry
                    - Apparel & Accessories
                    - Kids
                    - NGA Custom Prints 
                  -  Play Artle

Home>Research>Library>Image Collections>Process and Participation in the Work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude>Wrapped Coast

Introduction

Shunk-Kender Photography Collection

Early Works, Paris 1963-1964

Wrapped Museum of Contemporary Art / Wrapped Floor and Stairway 1968-1969

Wrapped Coast 1968-1969

Valley Curtain 1970-1972

# Wrapped Coast: 1968-1969

Team on cliffs and shore wrap rock outcrop for *Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69,*1969, gelatin silver print, Shunk-Kender Photography Collection, Department of Image Collections, National Gallery of Art Library, Gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation in memory of Harry Shunk and János Kender. © Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved

Shunk-Kender documented all phases of *Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s monumental work of art created for the coast and cliffs of Little Bay near Sydney, Australia.

The artists, working with project coordinator John Kaldor (*Wrapped Coast* was the first in a series by Kaldor Public Art Projects) and Major Ninian Melville (retired Army Corps of Engineers), assembled and directed a team of 15 professional  rock climbers and 110 local art and architecture student workers, as well as Australian artists and teachers. Over a period of four weeks, they wrapped about one and a half miles of coast and cliffs up to 85 feet high with 1,000,000 square feet of light beige erosion-control fabric and 35 miles of rope. The project suffered a temporary setback when, three-quarters of the way through, a storm severely damaged sections of fabric on the wrapped coastline, requiring them to be redraped. The artists and their team completed *Wrapped Coast* on October 28, 1969, and the work remained on view for 10 weeks.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

View of Little Bay, cliffs, and coast, located nine miles southeast of Sydney. The land used for the project was leased from Prince Henry Hospital, adjacent to the project site.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia*,*1968–69*

Model of *Wrapped Coast*.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Factory worker manufactures the project fabric, a synthetic woven fiber made for agricultural uses by Sarlon Industries Pty. Ltd., Australia. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Team carries lengths of fabric to the work site. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Christo (second from left) and team of workers spread fabric at site. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Jeanne-Claude (left) and team of workers spread fabric at site. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Worker sews together pieces of fabric. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Project team unfurls fabric over cliff edge. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Christo (third from left) and team fix rope over fabric to cliff; at right, worker uses a ramset gun to fasten rope to rocks. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

One of the project’s professional rock climbers at top of cliff. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Rock climber works on fabric on cliff face. 

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

View of in-process project.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Project coordinator John Kaldor attempts to hold down fabric during the storm.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

 

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Overall view of storm damage.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Team unfurls more fabric over cliff edge.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Team on cliffs and shore wrap rock outcrop.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

 

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

Team on cliffs and shore wrap rock outcrop.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude*Wrapped Coast, One Million Square Feet, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia, 1968–69*

View of the completed project.

© Christo. Photograph: Shunk-Kender © J. Paul Getty Trust. All Rights Reserved.

Click on a slide above to view a larger image and detailed description (18 images total)

Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the Vogel Collection

Artists' website

Roy Lichtenstein Foundation

Getty Research Institute

### Stay connected

Learn more about our exhibitions, news, programs, and special offers.

About
          - About the National Gallery
          - Stories
          - Press
          - FAQs
          - Contact Us

Plan a Visit
          - Getting Here
          - Accessibility
          - Today's Tours
          - Food & Drink
          - Calendar
          - Downloadable Map

Get Involved
          - Donate
          - Membership
          - Volunteer
          - Opportunities
          - Shop Online

Resources
          - Search the Collection
          - Conservation
          - Library
          - Archives
          - The Center
          - Film Programs
          - Music Programs
          - Audio/Video
          - Open Access Images

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

**West Building**6th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter or exit from Constitution Avenue, 4th Street, or 7th Street. The Madison Drive entrance is currently closed.*

**East Building**4th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 4th Street.*

**Sculpture Garden**7th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 7th Street, Constitution Avenue, or Madison Drive.*

We are closed on December 25 and January 1.

*The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.*

          -  Twitter 
          -  Facebook 
          -  Instagram 
          -  Pinterest 
          -  YouTube 

© 2024 National Gallery of Art   Notices   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy