2000-10-08 Christo Javacheff �i1935�\�@�j

I have a chance to see pair of Christo and Jeanne Cloud on the NHK-TV, Sunday Museum from 9:00 am.
The documentary movie "Packing of Bundes Tags" will be on display in Japan now.
Christo had a idea of packing German parliament building in year 1971, and after 24 it was accomplished in year 1995. This movie showed the 24 years of history.
Bundes Tags did voting for approval of packing, and 299 out of 531 agreed.
As for the meaning of packing, ex-bundes chancellor Wily Brandt, friend of Christo, said "Through packing each people see different Budes Tags".
I saw that building in year 1979 at Berlin, and had an impression of deserted building.
In year 1991, after 50 years of beginning of Japan-US war, Christo made an umbrella exhibition both in Japan and U.S., setting up more than 1000 many huge umbrellas (height of 7-8 m), opposite side of Pacific ocean.
The place in Japan was located at Ibaraki prefecture near Tokai, and I went to see them three times in the early morning to avoid traffic jam. It was a very impressive exhibition.
The exhibition itself was prematurely finished because of a tragedic accident during closing of an umbrella for typhoon, resulted in death of one person.
I think the reason why Cristo's exhibition is so popular is that he is far from commercialism, and many people help him voluntary.