CHRISTO ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECT

(Reuters) World famous artists Christo and
Jeanne-Claude have today announced a new project
that is slated to be begin immediately.
Responding to U.S. Homeland Defense Secretary
Ridge's call for artists to rally the cause
through anti-terrorist art, Christo has received
permission to wrap the White House in Washington
D.C., using duct tape
and plastic sheeting.  Much like the artist's
1995 project "Wrapped Reichstag" in Berlin,
"Wrapped White House" will, according to the
artists' plan, seal the building and those
inside. Of the project the artists said, "We are
very excited to use our art making methods in the
international fight against terrorists. By
wrapping the White House we hope to help keep
terrorism under wraps, so to speak."  Unlike
"Wrapped Reichstag" which was a temporary
project, "Wrapped White House" will be the
artists' first permanent work of public art.

100,000 square meters (1,076,000 square feet) of
clear high-strength polypropylene plastic, and
15,600 meters (51,181 feet) of silver duct
tape, 13.2 cm (4 inch) wide, will be used for
the wrapping of the White House.  The work will
be completed in as little as one week.  The
artist's have contacted other artists across
the U.S. who are now in-route to Washington D.C.
in order to finish this work in record
time.  Materials have been provided without
charge by the German Government.  Recalling the
"Wrapped Reichstag," German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder stated, "Wrapping the symbol of
German Democracy was a defining moment for the
new Germany.  Wrapping the White House will
likewise be a defining moment as democracy is
restored in America