The Gates - fun with Christo and Jeanne Claude
Published by Becky S February 13th, 2005 in travels, arts
The Gates. Pretty cool. I made the trip to NYC with Scott, who wanted to learn the SEPTA/NJ Transit ropes, and we were both impressed by the magnitude and span of Christo and Jeanne Claude’s latest work.
According to Scott, the pair originally wanted to show The Gates in conjunction with Central Park’s fall foliage. However, I’m glad that this sixteen-day event is happening in February—it’s a time of the year when Mother Nature needs a boost. The mid-winter starkness of Central Park, with its muted colors, lack of leaves, and bare, curving elm branches, makes a perfect backdrop for the miles of billowing, orange fabric.
The park was crowded, but in a good way. Everyone was excited to be witnessing the spectacle, kids were laughing at the silliness of it all, and some people turned out in their finest orange apparel. My favorite was a couple dressed in matching neon orange overalls; sadly, they were gone before I could get a picture.
The Gates will be up until February 27th. My photo album is here, and there are lots of great shots on Flickr. Also, Scott was kind enough to make this “fun with art” movie, starring me. Do The Gates make my butt look big?
UPDATE: Scott has posted his commentary (and movies), and his pictures are here.
UPDATE II: The NY Times has a video about the unfurling of The Gates:
- Christo said that he chose the month of February deliberately, so maybe I should fact check Scott before quoting him.
- Christo and Jeanne Claude’s next project is to cover the Arizona River with fabric.
- A woman on the street says that The Gates, though a feat of engineering, is not real art “because it doesn’t communicate anything about the human experience.”
Did Jeanne Claude dye her hair to match the exhibit, or is it always that color?
arts blankbaby christo new york photos the gates travels21 Responses to “The Gates - fun with Christo and Jeanne Claude”
- 1 Trackback on Feb 13th, 2005 at 6:59 PM
- 2 Trackback on Feb 23rd, 2005 at 12:28 AM
I think in comparison the Gates make everyone’s butts look smaller.
Great pics!
Those are beautiful photos. I may even venture forth to look at the work.
Becky, the photo gallery is terrific. Thanks for sharing. But next time, a longer video!
“kids were laughing at the silliness of it all”
Kids aren’t the only ones laughing…
I am positive that I read somewhere that in the orginal plan (26 years ago) they wanted to do it in the Fall. Christo doesn’t know what he is talking about.
The snap shots pull you right in! I love the vivid colors … thanks for the view! I’m planning a day trip to share & expose the art event with my eight-year old daughter!
Hmmm… sounds like a good time. How’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by the way?
great photos! thanks. I’m sure they won’t be so pristine by the time I get to them.
Theresa, I hadn’t thought about how the curtains might get grimy over time. I’ll be up in NYC again the weekend of 2/26–don’t know if we’ll swing by Central Park or not. I can’t wait to see your pictures.
very metal, ignore the haters–Gates are good. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time–loved it. Highly recommended.
Great pics oh frolicking video jumper. They do remind me a little bit of a Shinto Shrine. The tree lines are somehow brought to life with the orange. Love the gates on the march.
They remind me of curtains.
Astute observation, Clair! You are gettin’ so good at this art stuff.
Ahh but they’re SAFFRON (aka orange) curtains.
Genius, I tell you!
I do like them though, even with this sarcastic comment.
We went on Sunday, and my husband & I took many pictures too. It was a beautiful day and part of the joy was all of the people out and enjoying the spectacle! There was a light wind and I loved the sunlight on the orange. It made me think about how they would look in the rain? Or the snow? That would be wild! Really nice shots, I think we took a similar path!
I must agree with Clair. Halloween curtains but curtains none the less.
Thank you philip!
I feel like the little kid in the Emperor’s New Clothes.
The emperor’s new clothes? Uh, those were invisible–there was nothing to see. You can hardly say the same thing about The Gates; in fact, you’ve already acknowledged that they are highly visible orange curtains. Like the exhibit or not, there is something to see in Central Park.
Awesome pics! Your site moniker is hilarious.
More competition for Christo… but with cats!