The Mastaba, a project for Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), was first conceived by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 1977. If realized, it will be the largest contemporary sculpture (in volume) in the world.
The Mastaba will be made from 410,000 multi-colored barrels to form a colorful mosaic, echoing Islamic architecture. It will be 150 meters (492 feet) high, 300 meters (984 feet) long at the vertical walls and 225 meters (738 feet) wide at the 60 degree slanted walls. The colors and the positioning of the 55-gallon steel barrels were selected by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 1979, the year in which the artists visited the United Arab Emirates for the first time.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude looking for a possible site for The Mastaba_United Arab Emirates, February 1982_Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 1982 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
The proposed location is inland, approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of the city of Abu Dhabi in the desert of Liwa. The Mastaba will be Christo and Jeanne- Claude's only permanent, large-scale public artwork.
Once government approval is granted, the construction period will take at least three years.
Like all of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s projects, The Mastaba will be self- financed and will not require government funding.
Christo at the proposed site of The Mastaba_United Arab Emirates, March 13, 2017_Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 2017 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
The artists first visited the United Arab Emirates in 1979. They returned many times, creating a longstanding friendship with the people of Abu Dhabi.
In 2012, The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award, an annual award funded by the artists, was established to help nurture artistic talent in the United Arab Emirates, under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan.
Christo in his studio with a preparatory drawing for The Mastaba, New York City, 1984. Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 1984 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation
The Mastaba, a project for Abu Dhabi, will be Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s only permanent, large-scale public artwork. It will be their final project, carried out by Christo’s nephew Vladimir Yavachev, who has worked with the artists for 30 years and most recently directed the L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped project.
There is no other project in the making. As Christo said, “It will be like a new Eiffel Tower, it will be a landmark for the 21st century.”
Christo The Mastaba (Project for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)_Drawing 2013 in two parts: Pencil, charcoal, pastel, wax crayon, enamel paint, hand-drawn map and technical data, and tape. Private collection, Photo: André Grossmann © 2013 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
Christo Abu Dhabi Mastaba (Project for United Arab Emirates) Drawing 1977 Pencil, charcoal, wax crayon, and pastel 56 x 71 cm (22 x 28 in). Collection Lilja Art Fund Foundation, Switzerland. Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 1977 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
The Mastaba in comparison to the Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Cheops), Egypt. © Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
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Cover photo: Christo in his studio with preparatory works for The Mastaba, New York City, April 15, 2012_Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 2012 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.
Text: © Official Press Release.
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