A traveling exhibition of collective art by world-renowned artists, Christo Javacheff and Jean-Claude Denat de Guillebon, is currently at the CSUN Art Gallery in the Art and Design Center through Dec. 13 for a special showing.

The collection, donated by local art collector Tom Golden, includes original drawings, collages and photographs capturing the versatility and international scope of the duo’s extensive career.

‘We chose this show because it was a contrast to our last show,’ which consisted of paintings.’ It’s giving our students and community a wide range of different type of art,’ Tim Sweeters, interim director at CSUN’s Art Gallery and organizer said.

In 2001, Golden donated his collection of duo’s works, which is a traveling exhibition, that included over 100 pieces to Sonoma County Museum.

Golden first met the two artists in 1974, according to their website. Golden’s collection from 1961 to 2001 reflects both his friendship and admiration of Javacheff and de Guillebon.

‘I like the fact that what we are exhibiting here are drawings, plans before these massive public art projects are installed,’ Michelle Giacopuzzi, Art Galleries coordinator said.

Javacheff and de Guillebon have worked together as artists for more than 40 years and are known worldwide as environmental installation artists. Their works are famous for wrapping around buildings such as the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris and walkways in Kansas City.

‘(The Kansas City installation) was amazing to me. It reminds me my niece’s wedding because she wrapped the sidewalks,’ June Sloan, volunteer at CSUN Art Galleries said.

‘Their artworks are very interesting, colorful, unusual and different. It (takes years for) them to finalize the work to wrap all this stuff. It is fascinating,’ said visitor and alumna Sandra Kussin.

The gallery expects more than a thousand people for this exhibition and plans to offer tours for high school students. The show will continue for seven weeks.

There are usually six exhibitions in the main gallery and 12 to 18 exhibitions in the west gallery each year, said Sweeters. Of the six main exhibitions, works from CSUN students, 40 local Valley high schools and professional artists are displayed. CSUN students’ works are shown for about a month during the spring semester, while the works of professional artists are displayed during both spring and fall.

The gallery’s next exhibition will take place from Jan. 12 to 31, 2009 and will feature the works of students from 58 San Fernando Valley high schools. The 12th annual event will display various media such as painting, sculpture, video, graphic design and mixed media.