After giving birth to the Reichstag (in fabric) in Berlin in 1995, the flapping panels in Central Park in New York, and the L’Arc De Triomphe in Paris, artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude had plans of creating the world’s biggest-ever sculpture in UAE.
And while the duo is no more, their legacy is bound to live on with the project expected to see the light of the day soon. It is christened as ‘The Mastaba’ and will be built around 100 miles south of Abu Dhabi in the UAE’s Liwa desert.
The iconic structure will boast 410,000 multi-colored barrels and stand 150 meters high, 300 meters wide, and 225 meters deep. It was first conceptualized by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 1979 and is an ode to traditional Islamic architecture.
The Mastaba is further special as it will be the pair’s only permanent structure, despite their work spanning decades. Actual construction on it hasn’t been started, pending government approvals. However, once granted, it will be completed in approximately three years.
As of now, there is no official word on its completion but estimating the time taken for official paperwork, gathering resources, and cracking to the finish line, The Mastaba could open at UAE’s Liwa dessert by 2027. I can’t wait for the grandeur to unfurl!
[Via: NZ Herald]
