ART CITIES:London-Christo

Christo’s first large-scale public sculpture in the UK floats on The Serpentine lake in Hyde Park. The work consists of 7,506 horizontally stacked barrels on a floating platform in the Serpentine Lake. As with all of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s projects, the project funded through the sale of Christo’s original works of art. No public money has been used and Christo does not accept sponsorship.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Christo & Jeanne-Claude Archive

“The London Mastaba” is a temporary sculpture in Hyde Park, by Christo. The proposal included an ecological survey to ensure no damage to the lake or its surroundings. The sculpture also presents a unique opportunity for enhancements to the conservation area and associated wildlife. “For three months, The London Mastaba will be a part of Hyde Park’s environment in the center of London” said Christo. “The colors will transform with the changes in the light and its reflection on the Serpentine Lake will be like an abstract painting”. The construction of Christo’s temporary sculpture began on 3/42018 by JK Basel, Deep Dive Systems, and Coventry Scaffolding as well as a team of engineers from Schlaich Bergermann Partner. “The London Mastaba” consists of 7,506 horizontally stacked barrels on a floating platform, 20 metres high x 30 metres wide (at the 60° slanted walls) x 40 metres long. Standard 55 gallon barrels, 59 x 88 cm were fabricated and painted for the sculpture. The sides of the barrels, visible on the top and on the two slanted walls of the sculpture, are red and white. The ends of the barrels, visible on the two vertical walls, are blue, mauve and a different hue of red. The sculpture’s floating platform is made of interlocking high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cubes and is held in place with 32 6-tonne anchors. The barrel-supporting substructure consists of scaffolding and a steel frame that connects to the floating platform. The sculpture’s total weight is 600 tonnes and its footprint takes up approximately 1% of the total surface area of the lake. All construction materials are certified as having low environmental impact to preserve the ecosystem of the lake. The removal of the sculpture will begin on 23/9018. While some equipment and materials, such as scaffolding, have been rented and will be returned, the other materials will be removed and industrially recycled in the UK following the project. Videos from the construction can be found  here.

Info: The London Mastaba, The Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park, London, Duration: 18/6-9/9/18, Days & Hours: 5:00-24:00