Serpentine Galleries launches AR version of Christo's London Mastaba

Over a month after the death of Christo Vladimirov Javacheff (1932, Bulgaria – 2020, New York), the Serpentine Galleries in London have dedicated a digital initiative to the Land Art master. Christo and Jeanne-Claude's London Mastaba in AR is a augmented reality recreation of the 2018 floating installation that sat on the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park for three months. The original structure measured 20 meters high, 30 meters wide, and 40 meters long, built with 7,506 horizontally stacked barrels in red, blue, and mauve on a floating platform. As always, the project was self-funded by Christo, who refused public money or sponsorships. Bettina Korek, CEO of Serpentine, and artistic director Hans Ulrich Obrist stated: 'Christo and Jeanne-Claude were truly extraordinary artists. Art for them was not a profession but their existence. The genius of Christo and Jeanne-Claude lies in the connection between the ephemeral nature of their work and the indelible memories that each project leaves in the minds of all who experienced it. It is an honor to present this project as an eternal and virtual translation of their otherworldly vision.' The AR experience is available via the Acute Art app (iOS and Android), allowing users to view the exact replica of the 2018 floating work on site at Serpentine Lake or in their own homes. Users can position the work in augmented reality by pointing their smartphone at the floor, then take photos or videos to share on social media.