ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Christo's The Umbrellas: Simultaneous Installations in Japan and USA

artist · 2026-04-23

On October 9, 1991, Christo inaugurated his latest environmental artwork, The Umbrellas, simultaneously in Japan and the United States. The project deployed thousands of yellow umbrellas across California and blue umbrellas across Japan. This action followed his previous large-scale works including Wrapped Coast in Sydney, Running Fence in California, Surrounded Islands in Florida, and the wrapped Pont Neuf in Paris. The Umbrellas was realized after seven years of planning from 1984 to 1991.

Key facts

  • Christo inaugurated The Umbrellas on October 9, 1991
  • The project was realized simultaneously in Japan and the United States
  • Yellow umbrellas were deployed in California
  • Blue umbrellas were deployed in Japan
  • The planning period spanned 1984 to 1991
  • Previous works include Wrapped Coast, Running Fence, Surrounded Islands, and Pont Neuf wrapped
  • Wrapped Coast was in Sydney
  • Running Fence was in California
  • Surrounded Islands was in Florida
  • Pont Neuf wrapped was in Paris

Entities

Artists

  • Christo

Locations

  • Japan
  • United States
  • California
  • Sydney
  • Florida
  • Paris
  • Pont Neuf

Sources