London’s Serpentine pedalo peddlers, swans and swimmers have a new companion this summer, the Christo London Mastaba. It is huge.
WHO IS CHRISTO?
Christo is the man who wrapped the Reichstag. Together with his late wife Jean-Claude, he has created monumental and largely temporary works of art since 1961. Christo was born in Bulgaria and grew up under communism, aged 21 he defected. Growing up in a country where government control was very strict left him with a desire for his art not to be controlled in any way, this means that all his projects are self funded. No taxpayers’ or sponsors’ money has gone into the construction of the London Mastaba: it has all come from Christo’s pocket.
CHRISTO LONDON MASTABA – FACTS AND FIGURES
How many barrels? There are 7,506 barrels stacked horizontally on a floating platform. It is forty metres wide, thirty metres deep and twenty metres high. It weighs 650 tonnes and is held in place by 32 six tonne anchors. The Mastaba takes up 1% of the lake surface and changes with the light. I was lucky on the day that I visited to have weather that changed from dark and threatening to bright and sunny. At the moment that Christo stepped forward a shaft of sunlight broke through.
HOW LONG WILL THE LONDON MASTABA FLOAT ON THE SERPENTINE?
You have until 9 September 2018 to go Hyde Park and see this massive piece of sculpture for yourself. Just how you view it is up to you. You could stroll around the entire perimeter of the Serpentine, as I did. It took me quite a long time because almost every other step I had to stop and take another photo. Stop for a cup of coffee or a spot of lunch at the Lido Bar and Cafe which gives an excellent view of the Christo London Mastaba. Pack your swimming costume and you could swim just metres away from the cliff faces of the London Mastaba. Or you take to the water, pedals are available to hire enabling you to circumnavigate the Mastaba, this is what I shall be doing in a couple of weeks time with friends from Twins Club. If pedalling is too much effort there is a Solar Shuttle that makes its way from the Diana, Princess of Wales fountain to the northern shore of the lake.
WHAT IS A MASTABA?
Good question, there are two answers. First of all it is a stone bench found outside Mesopotamian houses. Then the Egyptians took the word and the shape and used it for early burial tomb. Translated from Ancient Egyptian it means House for Eternity or Eternal House. So an early type of pyramid. The London Mastaba is a trapezoid shape, as are all mastabas, the flat walls rear up at 90° to the water and sloping sides at 60°. Should you want to know more about how Christo and Jean-Claude evolved their idea for the Mastaba there is a free exhibition on at the Serpentine Gallery.
There are plans to construct an even larger Mastaba in Abu Dhabi, made from golden barrels at eight times larger it would be the largest sculpture in the world. Christo says that he doesn’t mind what people think of his massive sculpture.
“Every interpretation is legitimate. Critical or positive. It makes you think”
What do you think? Do you feel the need to head to Hyde Park or do you think that the Serpentine is best left to swans and swimmers?
HOW TO SEE THE LONDON MASTABA
- No tickets are needed, the park is open daily from 5am until midnight.
- Serpentine Gallery, open daily 10am – 6pm, free
- Nearest tube stations Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, Lancaster Gate and South Kensington.
- Pedalos are available to hire 10am – 7pm every day. £12 adult or £5 child or £29 family per hour
- Lido Café and Bar, open daily 8am – 9pm
London has many enticing exhibitions on this summer, check out my guide to Best London Exhibitions Summer 2018.
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That is quite a structure and certainly one you can’t fail to miss. I love the different colours and pedalos sounds a great way to look up close.
Author
We have a date booked for a circumnavigation followed by a swim!
Fascinating. At first sight, it reminded me of RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire. That’s an enormous structure. I’m amazed it had to be so deep and required such huge anchors. If I find myself in Hyde Park I will certainly be calling in because it looks stunning. #mysundayphoto
Author
So much to photograph in Hyde Park this summer!
I had no idea what a mastaba is so I’ve learnt something new and I love that you can get up close to it. I’ll look out for he AD one. I bet that one will be huge!
Author
Colossal!
Looks like a fascinating piece. I’d like to see that. And I also love that it’s self funded and available to everyone. #mysundayphoto
Author
It will certainly take me to the park more often than usual this summer
What an incredible sight, I might have to try and visit this in the summer
Have a good Sunday and thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Author
Look forward to seeing your photos!
Hi Catherine, I had no idea what a mastaba was before reading this. I love the fact the sculpture was funded by Christo himself and I can’t imagine how long it took to put together using that many barrels. In your top photo it looks rather like a square of chocolate floating in the Serpentine, don’t you think. #MySundayPhoto
xx
Author
It does, a Turkish Delight flavoured one!
Fascinating. Back in the 1980’s, Christo came to Miami and wrapped all the little islands off of the Intracoastal in hot pink. I thoroughly enjoyed riding all the causeways to see the art before it was taken away.
Author
I’ve seen the pictures of the islands, how lucky to have seen them for your self
Wow now that is just huge! Such an imposing structure and thought provoking sculpture. Thanks for explaining it’s origins.
Author
Isn’t it just!
Well it’s certainly a little bit different – I bet it’s a real talking point for both locals and tourists!
Goodness! I hadn’t realised how huge it was
I love the way it changes colour – and I definitely agree that art should make you think. It’s tempting to take a wander to the park and see it (not sure I fancy a dip in the Serpentine!) Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Author
I have made a date for circumnavigation and a dip in Serpentine… will let you know how it goes!
I do love the rise of public art to try and entice people into museums. In the US, they are cutting art education programs from the schools at an alarming rate, so I do appreciate when artists are willing to create things for the public space. I think I would download the app and create a tour of Hyde Park. I always feel like I’ve missed things on previous trips! #Citytripping
Author
Mike Bloomberg spoke about the economic benefit to cities of great public art at the unveiling, hopefully people in charge of purse strings will listen to him.
I love this and would absolutely want to see it multiple ways! So fun, and I’m so glad you’re sharing as I won’t be there to see it myself. #citytripping
I’m always amazed by the things people come up with. This looks particularly impressive.
Thanks for the tip, I’m going for a look this week! I’ve always been fascinated by Christo – I loved the wrapped buildings and the fence tho I’ve never seen them in real life. So now’s a chance.
Author
Same here, I remember seeing the Reichstag wrapping on the news and really really wanting to see it.
It’s a blot on the London landscape, but a fabulous one. May we get many more of these to come!
Author
Would that all blots were so colourful and temporary!
it’s huge! #farawayfiles
Great work. Accessible to all, available to view in so many different ways, interpret it in your own way, and self-funded. And if you don’t happen to like it, then it will be gone soon and it didn’t cost you a penny!
#farawayfiles
Author
I find that a large part of its fascination is that it will be gone by Christmas
Can’t wait to go and see it! For once this year we are so late checking Serpentine galleries summer exhibition and I’ve been itching – guess too many bday, friends and weddings! #culturedkids
Author
Lots of the summer left……
I love Christo!!! His work is brilliant. He’s done some amazing pieces in New York, and how I would love to see the Mastaba in London. Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
This structure has certainly divided london! My husband hates it, I quite like it! #culturedkids
Author
Love it or hate it, it will be gone by the autumn!
I saw the Cristos wrapped Reichstag building in Berlin when I was small with my family. And was lucky enough to see his lastes see Mastaba some weeks ago. Fascinating approach to art. #fearlessfamtrav
I have to go into the centre next week and would
Love to see this! Thanks for the tip #fearlessfamtrav
I can’t believe how huge this is and all made from barrels? What an incredible site! I wonder what happens to it when the exhibition finishes? Thanks for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav