The Wall

On April 6, 1999 the wall of 13,00 oil barrels 85 feet high and 223 feet wide with a depth of 23.7 feet was completed. Located in the Gasometer in Oberhausen this indoor installation designed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude spanned wall to wall in the Gasometer.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Wall - 13,000 Oil Barrels, Gasometer, Oberhausen, Germany, 1998-99Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1999 Christo

The 208 liter capacity barrels were connected to a core made of a steel scaffolding structure in which they were bolted. The whole wall was supported by steel pillars resting on the base of the Gasometer however they were not connected to the steel structure of the Gasometer.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Wall - 13,000 Oil Barrels, Gasometer, Oberhausen, Germany, 1998-99Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1999 Christo

Each barrel was painted various colors; 45% yellow, 30% deep orange, and between 2% and 6.6% of ultramarine blue, sky blue, rock gray, light ivory, and grass green. Weighing about 300 tons the wall was removed and all materials returned for their industrial uses in mid October.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude
The Wall - 13,000 Oil Barrels, Gasometer, Oberhausen, Germany, 1998-99Photo: Wolfgang Volz
© 1999 Christo