The Gates, Central Park, New York

1979-2005 Christo & Jeanne-Claude temporary work of art was seen from February 12, 2005 to February 27, 2005. (16 Days)

Usually in February, New York City colors would be dull. But this artwork brought beautiful saffron color to the park. The gates could be seen from the buildings and street surrounding Central Park. Thru the leafless branches of the trees the gates  seem like a golden river. This river would appear and disappear through the bare branches of the trees and highlighting the shape of the meandering footpaths.The wind blew the panels as we walked the walkways. The panels created a golden ceiling with warm shadows and sensual movements in the wind. The rectangular structure of the saffron colored poles reflected the grid pattern of the city blocks surrounding Central Park. It was an experience of a life time
There were 7,500 saffron colored fabric panels made of a rip-stop nylon fabric. Each panel was 16 feet tall and widths ranged from 5 feet 6 inches to 18 feet to accommodate the 25 different widths for the 23 miles of walkways in Central Park. The panels were held by 5 inch vertical & horizontal extruded vinyl. These saffron color square poles were secured by narrow steel base that weights ranged from 613 to 837 pounds. No holes were made in the ground. There was no impact on the environment. When the 16th day came, the gates were removed and the materials were recycled. Leaving New York City dull again.As Christo and Jeanne-Claude have always done for their previous projects, The Gates was entirely financed by the artists through their C.V.J. Corp, (Jeanne-Claude Javacheff, President) with the sale of preparatory studies, drawings, collages, and scale models, earlier works of the fifties and sixties, and original lithographs on other subjects.
http://christojeanneclaude.net/