"Wrapped Coast" was one of the first major environmental artworks by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, executed between 1968 and 1969. This ambitious project involved wrapping a 2.5-kilometer-long section of the rocky coastline at Little Bay near Sydney, Australia, in over one million square feet of fabric and 35 miles of rope (National Gallery of Art) (Art Gallery NSW).

The project's coordination was a substantial undertaking. John Kaldor, an Australian art collector and patron, played a crucial role as the project coordinator, bringing the artists to Australia and helping navigate the logistical challenges. The site chosen was adjacent to Prince Henry Hospital, offering dramatic cliffs that reached up to 85 feet high. The wrapping fabric, a light beige erosion-control material typically used in agriculture, was secured with thousands of fasteners, clips, and 56.3 kilometers of polypropylene rope (National Gallery of Art) (Art Gallery NSW).

The installation process involved over 100 workers, including professional rock climbers and local art and architecture students. The team faced significant challenges, including a severe storm that damaged the fabric during installation, necessitating repairs and rewrapping. Despite these setbacks, the project was completed and unveiled on October 28, 1969, remaining in place for ten weeks (National Gallery of Art) (Kaldor Art Projects).

"Wrapped Coast" was notable not only for its scale but also for its impact. The project attracted thousands of visitors and generated mixed reactions. Many were initially skeptical, but the sheer scale and visual impact of the wrapped coastline captivated and puzzled the audience, prompting extended contemplation and discussions about the nature of art and environmental transformation (Kaldor Art Projects) (Wikipedia).

The project was entirely self-financed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude through the sale of preparatory sketches, models, and previous artworks, ensuring their artistic independence. This financial model became a hallmark of their future projects, allowing them to execute large-scale installations without external sponsorship (Art Gallery NSW).

"Wrapped Coast" left a lasting legacy in the art world, inspiring subsequent large-scale environmental artworks and establishing Christo and Jeanne-Claude's reputation for transforming landscapes into temporary, thought-provoking works of art. It marked a significant milestone in their career, demonstrating their ability to merge art with nature on an unprecedented scale (National Gallery of Art) (Kaldor Art Projects).