Dolezych Straps Secure the Wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe

The Dortmund-based cargo securing specialist Dolezych is helping to wrap a Parisian landmark. The most exciting artwork currently being created is probably in Paris. It is the wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe, long planned and meticulously prepared by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Now, the action is being realized posthumously.

(PresseBox/Dortmund) Even Goethe’s Faust wondered what holds the world together at its core. The answer to that remains reserved for philosophers. However, what holds together the spectacular wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which consists of 25,000 square meters of fabric, became very clear on Saturday, September 11, 2021: It is the 2,616 silver and orange straps from Dolezych GmbH & Co. KG from Dortmund that have made their way to Paris and co-realized this wrapping dream.

Every 50 cm, a strap is needed. Silver-gray straps hold the fabric tarpaulins to poles, secure the scaffolding, and connect the fabric with the scaffolding. Orange straps, 100 mm wide, are responsible for securing the arch.

Monitoring the Work on Site

Vladimir Yavachev, Christo’s nephew, is the project director of the action. He expressly thanks Sven Wasik, head of Dolezych’s business development, who traveled to Paris to check on things: “Your straps saved my ass!” The straps are everywhere – they secure and hold together; they are among the main actors on this day when the wrapping begins. In widths between 25 mm and 100 mm, Dolezych delivered straps in special colors – in accordance with the project manager’s requirements during the preparation: “Tell Dolezych, bring more straps”.

Getting Hands-On

In addition to the straps, the Dortmund specialist for safe lifting and transporting also brings expertise: On-site, Sven Wasik demonstrates at a height how the straps are correctly tensioned and tightens some straps himself. Thus, he is part of the large project family.

The German engineer Jörg Tritthardt, responsible for all calculations and the execution of the entire art action, asks if everyone is happy. Sven Wasik certainly is. Especially because the otherwise commercially used straps are part of a spectacular artwork in this case. In conclusion, the focus on the construction site is on what art ideally offers: pure enjoyment. When asked what still needs to be done, the civil engineer replies: “Just enjoy!”.

Dolezych is looking forward to further projects. Wolfgang Volz, the managing director of the “Wrapped Reichstag” project (Berlin 1995, where Dolezych straps were also involved), is certainly planning more actions. It is to be hoped that Dolezych straps will be part of future art actions again.

Photos: © Dolezych