Jeanne-Claude, Co-Creator of The Gates, Dies at 74

Wife of Christo, and artist herself, Jeanne-Claude has died at age 74. She co-created the 2005 "Gates" installation, that spanned 23 miles in Central Park, alongside her husband (the installation brought $254 million to the local economy here). Mayor Bloomberg spoke with Christo this morning to offer condolences on the behalf of the city, where Jeanne-Claude died last night of a brain aneurysm.

In a statement from the family, it was stated that Christo was deeply saddened and "committed to honor the promise they made to each other many years ago: that the art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude would continue." The couple was allegedly born on the same day, and during the same hour — only to meet in Paris in 1958 and spending their life together creating temporary public arts projects. She once said in an interview that her favorite project was "the next one."

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on November 19, 2009 12:06 PM

Comments [rss]

sILVER bELLE

I am one of fifteen people who actually live thru a brain 'annie'....mine was in 2005 & I have ALOT of pproblems. I did relearn to wa;lk but my right hand dosen't work well & I have a very SHORT term memory span. May the Grace of God be with CHRISTO. God takes those he can use to further HIS good works. Who cares what ANY of you negative assextme nts are, do yall K NOW who died for you? That His angels watch over us. And now there is another angel to watch & protect those of u who believe.

mdow

RIP, Jeanne-Claude. And best wishes to Christo.

Kevin Bracken

I am pretty upset right now.

The Gates are a huge part of what made me and Lori start Newmindspace.

Clarice City

Really tacky move. That wasn't even their best work.

dr zippy

Very classy to use someone's death to promote your website!

Clarice City

This makes me so sad. Their marriage was a rare and wonderful creative symbiosis that bestowed the world with beautiful things. Hoping that heaven is covered in bright billowy fabric, Jeanne Claude.

santijose

"ORANGE"

RIP

S+

jt10000

The Gates were kind of annoying but also really cool. It's great to have things like that that are a bit out of the box in our lives.

kafkask

I met the two of them a few months ago at The angelica as they purchased some popcorn. Nice people, I guess, and I'm sad for Christo.

But I couldn't stand them as "artists". I hung a shower curtain last night, and I'll do the same with some curtains tonight. Nobody's pumping 154 million into my economy.

dr zippy

Philistine Pride!

Boogie Down

I met her in Central Park when The Gates were up. She approached me, and was so very kind. RIP.

Mordicai

The Gates were great. I think about them all the time. Nice work, Jeanne-Claude.

Angelheaded Hipster

the gates were fantastic

JacqueMehoff

RIP you kooky artiste.

valeriob

He was truly inspiring to artists around the world.

Did anyone see that wonderful documentary on the making of The Gates? It took them something like 30 years to get approval!

NannyState

Drawing from John Waters, they were the "Connie and Raymond Marble" of the art world.

chuzzlewit

christo needs some blue dye and a turkey neck,but yeah - i'm feelin it.

now i got surfin bird stuck in my head.

NannyState

LOL You must have missed his last press conference!

Dirk

The Gates were incredible. She must of have been proud to have co-created something that really brightened up the city while it was up. RIP, Jean-Claude.

virgilstarkwell

no disrespect to the departed and all but 'co-creator' my ass. she was a total hanger-on. and, as lukewarm as i am on christo in general, he's the one with the vision.

Radtard

While yes, Christo has been the one with the vision. She was the one the gall and capacity to make them realized works. A perfect partnership.

With that said.

Rest in Peace

bang ki moon

I met the two of them at a reception right before the Gates unveiling. They were extremely kind and genuine.

With that said...I tend to agree with this assessment.

em

Ok, seriously, could you be more of a dick?! They've been creating art *together* for decades. Maybe you should tell Christo that she was just a hanger-on. Exactly how much art have you created?

Anyway, my husband saw the Wrapped Reichstag and said it was one of the coolest things he's ever seen.

RIP Jeanne-Claude.