Interview with Luchezar Boyadjiev: Imaginary Monuments and the Public Sphere

Throughout his prolific career, artist Luchezar Boyadjiev has addressed the power dynamics of systems of belief, whether political, religious, or artistic. Long inspired by the public works of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Boyadjiev explores the social conditions of public space and the urban environment through speculative projects – in the form of photographs, digital collages, temporary installations, performances, and public dialogues – that question traditional symbols of power and serve as counter-monuments to canonical history. On the occasion of the many anniversaries happening this year celebrating some of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s most iconic projects (The Gates, New York City; Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin; The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris), I spoke with Boyadjiev about his recent project, Christo and Jeanne-Claude for Beginners, which envisions imaginary monuments to both artists, as well as other works that reshape the landscape of commemoration and remembrance.

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