Christo Documentary on Floating Piers Hits Italian Cinemas

From June 16 to 19, 2019, Italian cinemas screen Christo – Walking on Water, a documentary by Andrey Paounov detailing the creation of Floating Piers. The film marks the tenth anniversary of Jeanne-Claude's death. Floating Piers, a temporary walkway on Lake Iseo, was open from June 18 to July 3, 2016, attracting over 1.2 million visitors. In an interview, Christo explains he chose Lake Iseo due to his familiarity with northern Italy from past projects in Spoleto (1968), Milan (1970), and Rome (1974). He notes that all 23 of his temporary projects are documented; for Floating Piers, filming began before construction, resulting in extensive footage. Christo describes the satisfaction of seeing his decades-old drawings become reality, emphasizing the collaborative effort with engineers, divers, and workers. He funded the project by selling his drawings, maintaining independence from patrons. The film also covers logistical challenges, such as managing crowds in small towns like Montisola. Christo discusses his escape from communist Bulgaria in 1957 to pursue artistic freedom, using capitalism to fund his work. He reveals that The Mastaba for Abu Dhabi, conceived in the 1970s, is still pending permits. Regarding Abu Dhabi's art scene controversies, Christo states he works independently of governments. The wrapped Arc de Triomphe in Paris, planned for 2020, received authorization after decades of requests, reflecting changing attitudes.