Christos VW Käfer: Artwork inspires in the new National Gallery!

Christos VW Käfer: Artwork inspires in the new National Gallery!

Berlin, Deutschland - The art world in Berlin is currently shaped by two remarkable events that are reminiscent of the lively history of the art installation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. From Wednesday, June 10, 2025, the new National Gallery will show a VW Beetle packed by Christo. This work of art, a loan and part of the exhibition "Current test. Art between politics and society", originally dates from 2014. It is a tribute to the first action of the artists that took place in Düsseldorf in 1963.

In the recently presented packaging of the VW Beetle, built in 1961, the vehicle was wrapped in a mint green fabric. All liquids were removed before the staging, and the car was mounted on rollers. Christo and Jeanne-Claude always claimed to change the perception of objects, and this also includes buildings and entire landscapes in addition to vehicles.

memory of an iconic action

Another highlight of the coming week is the light projection, which takes place on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the famous coverage of the Reichstag building. From Monday, June 9th to June 20, 2025, the facade of the Reichstag is illuminated in the evening. This spectacular projection takes place with 24 high -performance projectors, which are intended to create the illusion of a new coverage. It will be seen every evening between 9:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. and repeats itself every 20 minutes.

The original coverage of the Reichstag took place on June 17, 1995 and was an event of enormous symbolic importance. Over 100,000 square meters of fire -proof polypropylene fabric were used to wrap the building, which caused a sensation worldwide and attracts around five million visitors. Christo received the approval after 23 years of planning, and the Bundestag voted in 1994 with 295 to 223 votes for the campaign. This was not without resistance, because among other things Chancellor Kohl was against the covering of the significant building.

art and controversy

The light projection is not only accompanied by joy, but also by criticism. Some spectators complain that the projection reveals more than veiled. The light show that imitates the fluttering of a fabric makes the center of democracy visible, while the original work of art was stable and pursued another aesthetic approach. Roland Specker, an entrepreneur, refers to the opposition that was against the realization of the idea at the time, and notes that the covering was also seen as an opportunity to create a cheerful turning point for the historically stressed building.

In the city, souvenirs such as postcards with the veiled Reichstag are also available, and numerous books on this art project are in circulation. Photo exhibitions in C/O show the emotional response of the action at the time and the influence on society. These two events in Berlin make it clear how Christo and Jeanne-Claude are not only artists, but also cultural-historical actors who move a general public with their work.