If anyone is going to NYC see the Gates in Central Park please post a first hand account of your visit. I would love to see this but alas I can't make the trip.

I second that! I'm trying my best to get there, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. All the papers and magazines should have good coverage and photos, but I have a feeling this is one of those things that you have to see in person.

Going on Sunday. Will tell all.

Ugh. I live a few blocks from the Park and am not looking forward to the chaos. Yes, I'll see the Gates (whether I want to or not), and, Yes, I realize I'm selfish when it comes to Central Park, but I hate the idea of it getting trashed and being virtually inaccessible to those who use it every day.

But I'm sure it will look just super!

And I hope whats-his-name's ego is soothed for awhile.

oh Gekko, what I wouldn't give to trade places with you for a week!

[-o<

Gekko, I absolutely concur. I am going out of curiousity, but I really don't like the disruption of our park's harmony and the distress they have undoubtably caused to our local wildlife with all the noise, trampling of grounds, etc. I also don't know how they are going to be able to keep the 'sculpture' free from vandalism. We need this like we need a stadium on the west side.

I'm going on 2/18 and will report back. Bugswife, I'm looking forward to your report.

gekko, it is a shame isn't it that they are allowing peasant tourists into our beloved personal park? what a shame.

I am curious about the New Yorker's perspecitves on this. Do you all feel the same way about the concerts that take place in the park?

I don't. I think it's great when events like this happen there. it's far better than some of the seedy uses by locals. the park is meant to be enjoyed by all, not just a few locals who think it belongs to them. this is a world class art happening and we should be proud it is happening here.

I love the concerts in the Park, and go to most of them, including the Met Opera in concert there as well.

I think it's great that classical music, with a world class orchestra is available to people who come for a nite out and hopefully they come away with a better understanding of the music.

We are in the park alot during the summer months, and now live north of the park so going just about anywhere, we have to go by or through the park.

During the winter months, I love the winter wonderland feel and the white snow (ok so it doesn't stay white for very long), and walking some of the paths you feel like you are far out of the city, a nice way to de-stress.

I am very much in support of The Gates, since the park has had alot of problems recently with budget cuts, anything that brings attention to the park will be helpful.

Can't wait to see it!!

OK, I know I'm about to get bashed by the art police from this board, but I don't care for most modern art, and I have never cared for any of Christo's conceptual art. Fabric flapping in the wind ( or just hanging there) does absolutely nothing for me. Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Dali... I enjoy all of them. But Christo? no.

I guess my perception of what art is, is different from the people responding to this.

I can only speak for myself, but I am thrilled to see visitors enjoying the park. Nobody 'owns' it.

I also love the concerts in the park, but they are confined to one field (there are no escapes from the Gates)and are usually well supervised and orchestrated (pardon the pun).

As for the Gates, I feel the park is gorgeous in its own natural state. I really am not happy about the intrusion of these flapping things. The only things that should be flapping in the park are ducks and birds. The upside is that it is only for 2 weeks.

I'm one New Yorker who's very enthused about The Gates and look forward to my first-hand encounter on Sunday morning--both from an art-appreciation and a photo-op point of view.
I see as another exciting happening in a city of continuous exciting happenings!

To me its kind of like Christmas - all the lights and decorations are great on your shrubs and bushes and trees for a few weeks, but you wouldn't want it out there every day. The Gates are decorating the park, giving us all a new perspective on it, allowing us to enjoy a holiday and having it all go back to the way it was intended.

Remember the entire park was created by Olmstead - all the hills, ponds etc all part of his work. So what is the difference in what Christos is doing?

"World class art happening"?!? I'm sorry, but I really disagree. I wish those two whould have just wrapped something and gotten over it. I think it is a major disappointment and the money certainly could have gone towards something infinitely more useful.

That should have been "would"... apologies for the typo.

I should think NYC would welcome a little extra tourism in February for cryin' out loud!

My sister is flying in from California for the DAY just so she can see them. I thought it was Christo's own $20 million? I think it is marvelous, and part of what makes New York what it is. Nearby residents who complain about this remind me of those who move into (for example) a neighborhood with a stadium and then complain about the noise!

The concerts are a different story -- they take place in relatively small, open areas that are "designed" for crowds.

This "Gates" fiasco infects virtually the entire Park -- many many miles of pedestrian walkways that must be guarded by the NYPD to prevent vandalism.

I won't even start on the waste of resources . . . but something tells me Christo doesn't care.