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Mini Trip Report to the Gates -
We - my husband, our friend Phyllis, our dog IGY Pup, and I - left central Pennsylvania Sunday around 10:00 am. By 1:00 pm we were pulling into the parking garage near 79th and West End, our regular garage when we visit the city. Because of all the traffic we were concerned about getting a space, and as it was, we got the last one. If it was just me, I would have walked briskly towards the park in anticipation of seeing the Gates, but IGY insisted on peeing on every spot in NYC that another dog had already peed on, so it was a leisurly stroll. IGY was wearing his orange coat in honor of the occaision, and getting quite a few glances from the passing crowd. As we approached the park, I started feeling giddy as I caught my first glimpse of the saffron "laundry". We entered the park at 81st and Central Park West and were immediately mesmerized, whipping out our cameras to capture just the right moment. At first, there was only a slight breeze, so the fabric was barely moving. Then suddenly the wind picked up and the fabric started flapping around, as if suddenly coming alive. We started wandering aimlessly, until we saw a crowd that had gathered so we went over to investigate. Much to our delight we discovered a group of workers installing a gate. We watched as they hoisted the gate into placed, then waited paitently as they tightened the bolts. Then, the unfurling of the fabric took place (see ellenem's post of 2/12 3:16pm) and a large roar erupted from the crowd. We wandered around for 3 hours, mostly between 81st Street where we entered and 69th Street where we exited. I have NEVER seen the park so crowded, but it wasn't a concentrated crowd - it was spread out over the whole park. (Frederick Law Olmsted surely must have been smiling yesterday.) Since IGY was in his matching orange/saffron coat, he was getting a lot of attention. At least a dozen people asked to take his picture and I saw many more just snapping off a photo of him. I heard one little girl say to her mom, "Look, that dog is a mini-gate" (now a new nick-name for IGY). As the sun started setting in the sky, we noticed the Gates taking on more of an orange glow. I would love to be able to experience it at different times of the day, and in different weather (what would it look like if it was coated with freezing rain?). But I'm happy for the time we had and do not regret the six hour ride for a three hour walk in the park. My only disappointment was that we didn't arrive early enough to obtain one of the free fabric samples that they are handing out. Oh well, I guess I have two rolls of film as souvenirs. For anyone planning on visiting the Gates, I found the bathroom just outside the Delacourte Theatre to be amazingly uncrowded (I was 4th in line!!). The line for the bathroom at the visitor's center by the Mall and Sheep Meadow snaked around the building, at least 50 people in line, if not more. What a beautiful experience we had in the park on Sunday. Peace. :)>- Robyn |
From today's <i>New York Post</i>:
<b>Hue and Cry: We've Been Had by Con 'Artists'</b> WAKE me when these hideous things are gone! It's time to let the truth be known: "The Gates" — that manically promoted, ludicrously expensive sculpture project now infesting Central Park — is the artistic equivalent of a yard that's been strewn with stained toilet paper by juvenile delinquents on Halloween. It is the defacement of beauty, not its creation — a fraud perpetrated on the people by no-talent hypemasters and their chief cheerleader in City Hall. Please, make them go away! Walking into the park yesterday, I was assaulted by thousands of what looked like shower curtains twisting in the wind. I had found "The Gates." Like a sucker in a game of three-card monte, I'd noticed I was about to be taken for a fool — and I'd ignored them. The advance buzz had been all-consuming. "The Gates" was presented as the ticket for our stubborn, precious, maddening city to be elevated into something of a quasi-Eurotrash capital (except where the natives bathe regularly). The artists seemed cute and quirky enough. And the mayor was positively giddy about it. That should have been the kiss of doom. Now I realize we all were pulled into a kind of mass hysteria orchestrated by a couple of charismatic snake-oil salesmen — also known as the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude — and their pretentious booster, Mayor Bloomberg. "The Gates" is an abomination. Call me a Philistine, but how can one improve on trees, lakes and rocky outcroppings with miles of plastic-treated cloth? It's enough of a sin that "The Gates" overpowers Central Park's soaring, hypnotic beauty. But the color of these bed sheets, plunked down on metal frames every 12 feet throughout the park, is so atrocious that the project's creators ought to be charged with assault. Christo and Jeanne-Claude claim that the hue of the weirdly pleated cloth is "saffron." But, as any American junior-high-school kid will tell you, the precise shade is "vomit orange." "I can't get over how much it looks like an advertisement for Home Depot," said a laughing auxiliary cop I ran into. And he said he actually liked them. "A poet could say it looks like women's skirts," said Maureen Pielli, who drove down from West Chester, Pa. "But the color!" said her husband, Arthur, who just couldn't get past it. "I'm not impressed," said a young woman who works in the park making fanciful balloon animals for kids — an artistic feat that I'd like to see Christo and Jeanne-Claude match. But that would take skill. ***** |
Not sure that I would call the gates hidious just not very impressive. I do appreciate art was at the met the day before. Went to the gates on Sunday. Just not sure that the artists achieved their goal of lifting people up. The blue umbrellas in japan seemed more impressive in photos than the gates did. Friends thought for the purpose the material could have been more interesting in color.
ehhh....you want to go because it is such an event and it is more interesting to see the million people who come out to marvel. So many people reaching up to touch the fabric almost to say, "is that all"? I think this is what the art is also about bringing people into the park at almost the peak of winter. You don't see this number of people in the park in winter. Certainly you want to come just not sure it will impress all. |
I spent a large part of Saturday, and a few hours on Sunday, in Central Park, and I found the experience overwhelming, in a very positive sense.
I think many of the posters aren't appreciating the full magnitude of the project, which doesn't merely encompass the 7,500 gates meandering throughout the park. One of the most impressive aspects, in my opinion, was the artists' shear fortitude that they could pull this off, and the massive coordination necessary to install the gates. I think its an expression of grasping toward the impossible, and achieving the seemingly unachievable. At least that's one of the messages that I took away, and its a very positive one. I spent at least eight hours in the park, and I didn't hear any negative comments, not from any of the thousands of visitors, local and foreign, speaking dozens of languages. The project did manage to pull thousands into the park who would have spent their weekends elsewhere, and there was a vibrancy and sense of joy not typically experienced in NY on a warm February afternoon. Michael |
Hi Michael,
I think there were 7700 gates, I was well aware of that. I just did not think that volume added to the complexity of this project. Hard to believe you did not hear one negative comment, not one "I don't get it". I found myself explaining the artist’s intentions to people a few times. I am not saying we all need to trash it here. Just think when you are dealing with New Yorkers who do often come with a lot of previous exposure to art, we just expect more. …Certainly after all the fan fare this project received. But hey glad you enjoyed yourself certainly everyone has a different experience. Like I said above it is an event that people don't want to miss for the shear spectacle of it all. Just not sure it impresses everyone or even most as a great work of art. To me it really was much more linked to the artists ego, planting projects all over the globe. That is a gut impression only. |
Does anyone know the total cost and who paid the freight?
M |
The figure of 20 million is about right. The artists paid for everything, right down to the extra security costs. Meanwhile the sales of the books, and various memorabilia are also raising money for several
New York charitable causes. From the online gift shop: http://www.the-gates-at-central-park.com/ "Christo and Jeanne-Claude derive no income from the sale of The Gates merchandise. Proceeds will benefit Nurture New York's Nature Inc. and the arts, Central Park and other New York City Parks." In addition, it is understood that the areas where the gates have been assembled for the two weeks will be cleaned up and restored "better" than before the gates happened. Let's not also overlook the money that comes in to the area from the massive numbers of people who are there to enjoy and spend money in various ways as well. As mentioned above -- there are never this many people in the park during the winter. |
While I welcome that everyone has differing opinions on public art, the histrionics of the New York Post can get a bit old.
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spent the afternoon in the park yesterday. today I'm proud to be a new yorker.
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Patrick, thanks for pointing that out - again!
I'm sure the folks who say the artists could have spent their money better elsewhere love getting suggestions on where they should spend THEIR money... I hope to zip up and check this installation out myself. Of course there is always more to se at the Met as well. Great art is often controversial - some will love it and others will hate it. Often everyone hates it when it first opens (Picasso, Beethoven, Stravinsky, etc.) |
I appreciate the donation of, what is it $3 million to the park or whatever, but the other $17 mill they spent on the 'art' would have really done wonders. By all means, the exhibit is there and everyone interested should come in and see it.
I do want to say, however selfish it may sound, that I LIKE the park in the winter when it is quiet and half empty. I like hearing the birds, reading the inscriptions on all the statues, and searching the treetops for Pale Male and Lola. The zoo aviary is a wonderful respite from the cold, taking you away to the tropics for an hour or so. It is sad that it took this project to get people into the park, when there are many other reasons for enjoying it-all throughout the year. |
The figure quoted on CNN this morning was 21 million.
What an experience this must be! I would love to see The Gates in person--I got chills this morning just seeing the aerial view on t.v.. Too bad it has such a limited run. For me it is visually stunning. |
bugswife1,
It is so inappropriate to tell other people how much they should give toward charity (or to speculate that the artists are not already doing so privately). It is a private matter. Period. |
I don't understand the depth of this negatism about The Gates. You don't like Cristo and Jeanne-Claude's creation, fine. But, this condemnation of the city, the artists and, yes, those of us who enjoyed the experience....I don't understand it.
Is it great art? Who's to say? I'm still not sure where I stand on that question. But, it was a marvelous happening, event and experience. It was a joy a spend a delightful day walking through The Gates, seeing the multitudes of smiling faces (even on those who didn't particularly like The Gates), watching strangers talking with each other and volunteering to take photos, having a pleasant chat with the interesting volunteers and taking advantage of a great photo op! And, I was further delighted to realize some of the side benefits. For one, the crowds a the Met (the largest we had ever seen) were a joy for two reasons: It was great to see so many enjoying this wonderful cultural facility, and it was just great to see some much much-needed revenue flowing into its coffers! |
bardo1, I really don't think I was telling anyone anything, merely expressing my thoughts, so perhaps you should chill out.
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We experienced "The Gates" yesterday. It was a great day, especially because the sky was so blue and the air was so crisp.
Prior to heading to the park, we chatted with some strangers in the basement cafeteria of Whole Foods in Columbus Circle. They told us to look for the people with the tennis balls on poles - they were giving out swatches (free) of the Gates. My husband and I had a fun time trying to locate some of these tennis balls - the people were easy enough to find, but many of them had run out of swatches. (We did accomplish our mission and returned home with a little Gates souvenir, though!) The Gates themselves, in my opinion, aren't necessarily that amazing. But what is amazing is the work that it took to get a project this big off the ground. The reaction of the people in the park was amazing! Everyone was out walking and enjoying, marveling at the spectacle. Yes, there were a lot of people out - much more than on a regular Sunday! - but not huge crowds (like the Christmas Tree at Rock Plaza can sometimes have). Kudos to Christo and Jeanne Claude for persisting, and for all the work and time and money they put into this project. |
We saw the "Running Fence" on a driving trip from San Diego to the North Coast wine country.
Our thoughts at the time were the same as now: "California's prime contribution to culture is right turn on red". Please substitute any artist, place or thing you like for "California" M |
"To me it looked like a huge construction zone with orange flags waving about."
Couldn't have said it any better myself. If I want to see modern art I can visit museums...on weekends and most week night I enjoy running through the park peacefully. I can't wait until this entire fiasco is over. Maybe I just don't "get it" but in my opinion its one gigantic eyesore. |
On the contrary, NYJets, you <i>do</i> get it, as evidenced by your refusal to be awed by the monstrosity of the "effort" and the transparent desire to appear to be an enlightened "art lover."
Too bad we can't take a poll. |
If refusing to be awed by the monstrosity of the effort means that I don't get it, ignorance is definitely bliss!
Maybe it was just me, but it was nice to see people out enjoying themselves in the park. All the curmudgeons appeared to have stayed home. As someone who's in the park most weekends, I can say that the atmosphere was much more pleasant on Sunday than it usually is. |
Keith Olbermann did a very funny piece on this on his Msnbc show...you can read his blog about it at bloggerman on msnbc.com.
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just a ploy to get the French to like us again.
Did they put a french-fry stand up in the park, too? And are they allowing dog poop now, like in Paris? |
I was there on saturday, around 4pm. When we got there, I have to say that I was feeling a little underwhelmed. I was expecting to be awed, but each individual gate is nothing to write home about. After walking a bit, I started to see the effect of multiple gates, and realizing how many there were. I hadn't read yet that there are more than 7,500 gates installed.
Then the wind started to blow, and the cloths started to sway...in unison. It looked amazing... Then we got to the base of Strawberry Fields, one of the places recommended by the NYT. It is a really cool place to watch the effect. Winter seems to be the perfect time to pull off something like this. You can see so much more gates through the bare trees, and the effect is multiplied. I don't know if this is high art. As someone who doesn't go to the park regularly, I don't know if this is annoying. I did like the overall effect. I think that someone overheard by ellenem said it best, when they said to their teens "You will remember this". I know that I will! |
Nicely put, hunnym. That's the point I've been trying to get across. The apparent joy was evident everywhere. And, if it took The Gates to create the happy environment...great!
(And, to all photographers: I just got my pictures developed, and The Gates is indeed a great photo op!) |
Give me 21 million, I'll make New Yorkers a lot more "joyous" than the gates are making them.
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I'm telling you, it would have been much more interesting if 7,500 New Yorkers had donated a set of sheets to hang from "the gates."
"Look mom! There's Star Wars!!" Instead, all we get is the dyspeptic "vomit orange." |
Saw it -- underwhelmed. Ok, a lot of people around the park (I entered at W. 81st st) were really enjoying it and that's great! Bring the kids, dogs, annoying in-laws -- someone in that group will undoubtedly enjoy it.
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My husband and I were there early Sun. a.m. We arrived about 8:30, and parked by the Plaza, got out, walked a bit there, and then drove to the other side, looking for another spot. We were fortunate to get a spot on the Harlem side. It's been many years since I've seen Central Park at that end, and I'd forgotten just how beautiful the park is up there. For years, I wouldn't venture there for safety reasons. It seems the area has really improved.
Regarding the 'Gates' exhibit, to me, the best part about it is the number of people it has drawn to the park, to see it's beauty. We found people eager to talk about it, which was a positive in itself. The mood, even at that early hour, was very positive. I would not want the gates there indefinitely, but I think they provided a wonderful opportunity to give a reason for so many people to come and explore Central Park. The plus of all that security, was that anyone would feel safe there, anywhere in the park. And, the grounds and facilities were spotless. That's a definite plus! I also couldn't help notice the heavy traffic of all those carriages. Most the time, they sit idle by 59th St. How great for all of them! They can all take vacations after this! And, I'm sure the restaurants and hotels in the area have benifitted as well. There are those who prefer to see the cup half empty. I prefer to see it half full..... |
Jeez, Gekko, chill out!
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Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I get the feeling Gekko doesn't like The Gates. Maybe it's just me though.
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Just be happy that if you don't like it, it will go away, not everyone has the luxury of temporary public art.
There are a few ‘things’ bolted to the ground in my fair city I’d be happy to see carted away after a few weeks ;) |
Just so ya'all don't think I am a total grump about art, I want you to know that my favorite temporary 'about town' art over the past few years has been the painted cows and big apples. Each one individually painted by a different artist. Unique, special, colorful, some story telling, and an udder (sorry, couldn't resist) surprise when encountered. They were spaced out about the city and it became fun to try to see how many different ones you could spot before they were taken away. I saw the same thing done in Vermont with sheep last summer. Now THAT'S fun! If anybody is interested in seeing the apples, they are being auctioned on ebay for charity and they start at $550.
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We were in line at the Metropolitan Museum when it opened to go to the roof garden for a view. I enjoyed seeing it from there but I really enjoyed walking through the park much more. It is great to see the different planes the gates create in viewing the park. Also the different ways the light and wind change the way they look.
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Vittrad has a great point. This is only temporary--and for a matter of DAYS, at that!
Meanwhile, I sit here in Alabama, jealous that I am going to miss this exhibit by only a few days when I visit NYC in a few weeks. The opportunity to see this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whether it is well-received or not. I happen to think it looks just lovely, and also a little scary, like fire flames licking the trees, and even majestic with the beautiful fabric flapping along int he wind. All of things are what art SHOULD be, and all of these emotions are what art IS. You New Yorkers are so lucky to be hosting this display, whether you like it personally or not. Wishing I was there....bamakelly |
Gekko, having a bad day?
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Having a great day, actually.
Thanks for asking. The more I read, the more I realize how many people are completely underwhelmed by the gates fiasco. But go ahead and "ooh" and "ahh" if it makes <i>you</i> feel better. :) |
God Gekko, you're tone . . . it's so dismissive of anyone who expresses enthusiasm for something you don't like. Once maybe ok, but now you've posted what . . . 8 times that you don't like "The Gates"" and the attendant hoopla. OK. enuf already.
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whoops. I mean "your tone".
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To HowardR: As per your request...
Author: bellastar Date: 02/15/2005, 07:13 am Message: to ALL, including Gekko, (BTW Gekko, we can buy the Post for 25 cents, you need to offer original opinions intstead) I have been working for the NYC Parks department as a Parktender volunteer for five years, and I've seen alot of public behavior in the park of all kinds, I must spend probably a third of my volunteer hour cleaning up defacement of the park by various people, and pets, etc.). IMO, this is very much a NYC thing, although it will attract an international audience. Cristo and Jean-Claude are longtime NYers, and have dedicated much of their time for the last 20 plus years to work with the communities surrounding the park, and the Parks department to achieve a way to install this glorious work and still repect "nature" in the Park, (which is entirely man-made). That is one of the most wonderful things about it, it is constructed in a way that turns no soil, and disturbs not a single branch of a tree. Unlike many public works of art, all members of the public can walk, skip and run right through it. I even talked to a 72nd street bus driver who loved it because he could see the gates from blocks away! The saffron color is purposely designed to be the exact complement to the gray green of the environment at this time of the year. It reminded me of Tibetan prayer flags and Buddhist monk's robes. In my twenty plus years of living in this city, I have to say that Sunday was one of the most joyous days I've ever seen in Central Park! And I also noticed that the crowds were smiling and very peaceful and friendly to each other, which is not always the case with Park crowds. It was an awe inspiring day! I know there are naysayers(what would NY be without them?), but the vast vast majority I obseved, from Harlem to 59th street, were visibly thrilled. Even the gentle sound of the flags flapping when the wind passed through was like the sound a sail makes when you are in a sailboat. It was moving and beautiful. Today will be gray, and my mother and I can't wait to go there and see them in all their wonderful color bringing joy and warmth to the surroundings. I signed up to work on the crews, but couldn't take park as a result of not being able to get the time off of work. How I wish I could have participated!! It is a grand success which will be remembered for generations. I think this will be an incredible 2 weeks!!! |
Thanks very much, TuckH.
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