Christo death: Artist behind Hyde Park installation and Reichstag wrapping dies aged 84

Bulgarian artist Christo, who was best known for wrapping buildings in material and plastic, has died at the age of 84 in his New York home.

Along with his wife and collaborator Jean-Claude, Christo specialised in site-specific art that involved covering famous landmarks, including the Reichstag in Berlin and New York’s Central Park, in large swathes of fabric.

The news of his death was shared on his Facebook page, with a statement from the artist’s office reading: “Christo lived his life to the fullest, not only dreaming up what seemed impossible but realising it.

“Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artwork brought people together in shared experiences across the globe, and their work lives on in our hearts and memories.”

They continued: “Christo and Jeanne-Claude have always made clear that their artworks-in-progress be continued after their deaths. Per Christo’s wishes, ‘L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped’ in Paris, France, is still on track for September 18 – October 3, 2021.”

Born in 1935, Christo left Bulgaria in 1957, first moving to Prague, then Vienna followed by Geneva, before meeting Jeanne-Claude in Paris.

Christo’s most recent large scale project was The Mastaba in London’s Hyde Park, which was installed in June 2018.