In 2018 Serpentine presented a major exhibition of Christo’s work which drew on their use of barrels to create artworks. This presentation included The London Mastaba, a temporary floating structure on Serpentine Lake. Collaborating with the label Jane Carr, the pair devised this scarf edition in honour of this extensive exhibition.
The London Mastaba was Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s first outdoor, public work in the UK and last public project in Christo’s lifetime.
Many years in the planning, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s outdoor projects generate an extensive archive of preparatory material detailing the organisation and execution of these projects, and those not yet realised. The Serpentine worked closely with Christo to develop this exhibition of sculptures, drawings, collages, scale-models and photographs, which spanned six decades. It was the Serpentine’s second collaboration with the artist, following Christo’s participation in the 2016 Miracle Marathon.
Since 1958, barrels have been a dominant feature of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s sculptures and installations, which they have erected at varying scales internationally. The exhibition offered new perspectives on Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s career to the large-scale, wrapped and fabric-based works for which they are best known. It also traced the origins of this strand of practice, which began with wrapped paint cans and barrels and the artists’ first temporary public installation in Cologne Harbour in 1961.
The Serpentine exhibition was timed to coincide with Christo’s temporary sculpture nearby, The London Mastaba, Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park 2016-2018. The sculpture took inspiration from mastabas – benches with two vertical sides, two slanted sides and a flat top – which originated with the first ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia. The Serpentine show provided a rich context for this new work, for unrealised barrel projects at sites including the Suez Canal (1967) and MoMA, New York (1968), and plans for Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s most ambitious sculpture yet in the Middle East, which was first conceived in 1977.
Christo/Jane Carr
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Born on the same day in 1935 in Gabrovo, Bulgaria and Casablanca, Morocco respectively, Christo (d. 2020) and his wife Jeanne-Claude (d. 2009), began their collaboration in 1961, and their many celebrated public projects include Wrapped Coast, Sydney, Australia (1968-69); Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin (1971-1995); The Gates, Central Park, New York City (1979-2005); and, more recently, The Floating Piers on Italy’s Lake Iseo (2014-2016).
Established in London in 2005, JANE CARR creates luxury printed and cashmere scarves in directional colour palettes. Founder and Creative Director Jane Carr graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martin’s Fashion MA.
Since it’s debut, emphasis has been placed on unique, vibrant design and the finest craftsmanship, with printed scarves made by hand in Como, Italy. The JANE CARR world is inspired by global travel, contemporary art and popular culture, imbued with a subtle humour and playfulness.
Alongside seasonal print collections, JANE CARR presents an edit of indulgent cashmere wraps. Timeless wardrobe staples and luxury travel must-haves, each cashmere piece is expertly hand-loomed by artisans in Kathmandu, Nepal.
JANE CARR has become a coveted cult label, featured in the pages of the world’s most esteemed publications and seen on international fashion insiders and a devoted celebrity clientele. The brand has partnered with the likes of Estée Lauder and Hauser & Wirth on exclusive international collaborations, as well as charity initiatives with Women for Women International and Look Good Feel Better.
JANE CARR’s growing global presence spans some of the most exclusive shopping destinations in over 20 countries, including luxury retailers in New York, Tokyo and Paris.
Terms and Conditions
By purchasing Serpentine Limited Editions you are agreeing to theseterms and conditionsof sale.
All sales of our Limited Editions go towards our programme, by purchasing a Serpentine Limited Edition you are ensuring Serpentine can remain free and open to all. Please contact editions@serpentinegalleries.org for further information. All our orders are bespoke hand wrapped in London, using globally sourced packing materials and we ship around the world from our London gallery. With this in mind, you should receive your order from between 14 days to 20 days.As a result of the new Brexit rules and regulations, VAT is now calculated in the checkout section in your cart and is dependent on the shipping destination.
Please note that customers outside of the UK may be required to pay import VAT and/or customs duty to their local courier company before receiving the goods.