These were mixed-media assemblages and the expansion of small draped cabinets that Christo had executed in Paris two years previously. The cabinets and show cases were replaced by coverings for real shop fronts, often those of galleries in New York.
As with all his works, Christo created extensive preparatory works for these projects, not just as drawings, but also as mock-ups, such as the Store Front (Project), a 2ft x 2ft 5in x 2in (61 x 74 x 5cm) object in wood, plastic foil, nylon fabric, pencil and crayon.
Karl & Faber in Munich is auctioning this work on December 10 with a guide of €60,000-80,000. It is signed and dated 1965, making it one of the earliest models of this series.
Furthermore, with its use of coverings it is a precursor of the artists’ future projects. It was only a matter of time before they turned their attention to placing installations of curtains in landscapes and later wrapping entire buildings.
