Central Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, January 29, 2003

"THE GATES" COME TO CENTRAL PARK

Over twenty years ago, the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude presented the New York City Parks Department with an idea for a large, temporary work of art called, "The Gates." On Wednesday, January 22, 2003 their proposal—"The Gates, Central Park, New York, 1979-2005" was officially accepted by Mayor Bloomberg. "The Gates" will consist of 7,500 gates bearing hanging, saffron-colored cloth, lining approximately 23 miles of pedestrian paths in Central Park. The work of art will be installed in February of 2005 and is expected to attract half a million tourists to New York. Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who reside in New York City, will finance all costs associated with the project.

"Central Park, itself a work of art, is the home of 80 permanent statues and monuments, and has also played host to scores of temporary works of art," said Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "The artists have come up with a dramatic plan that completely respects the park’s environment while creating a unique, two-week display at a normally very quiet time of year."

Christo and Jeanne-Claude have become internationally known for their temporary art projects, including Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1975-95; The Umbrellas, Japan-U.S.A., 1984-91; and Surrounded Islands, 1980-83, in Biscayne Bay. Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s goal is to create a work of art of joy and beauty and for people to reexamine the landscapes and public spaces they see and use everyday.

When "The Gates" was first proposed in 1979, then-Commissioner Gordon Davis rejected the idea, primarily because Central Park was being revitalized and could not have supported a project as large and popular as a Christo and Jeanne-Claude work of art. The current incarnation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s proposal was accepted only after several amendments. The current plan has been modified by the artists because of the growth of low branches above the walkways over the last 23 years, from 15,000 gates (in the original proposal) to 7,500 gates (in the current proposal). In addition, the gates’ height grew from 15’ to 16’. The routines of regular parkgoers—dog walkers, runners, vendors—will not be disrupted and Central Park’s landscapes and environment will be protected.

The park will be essentially swathed in saffron-colored fabric to dazzle those on the ground and in the air (in the park’s surrounding buildings). The 7,500 gates will snake through the park, but the most important natural areas, including the Ramble, the North Woods, will be protected and there will be no gates on the bridle paths or reservoir running tracks. The gates will made of a lightweight vinyl material, not steel or aluminum, will be built without footings or excavation, thus there will be no holes in the ground.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude will finance all costs without sponsorship, including planning, design fabrication, delivery, installation, information, security, auxiliary ambulances, insurance, full site restoration, and clean-up. The artists will also provide $3 million split between the Central Park Conservancy and Parks & Recreation. In addition to generating money for Parks & Recreation, "The Gates" will likely have an enormous positive impact on the City’s culture and economy. Based on the impact that previous Christo and Jeanne-Claude projects have had on local economies, the Mayor’s office anticipates benefits to the City in excess of $135 million. "The Gates" will also create over 1,000 temporary jobs, as the project will require workers to construct, install and monitor the exhibit.

"The Gates" proposal has had its share of nay-sayers over the years, but at last week’s announcement Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Benepe cited the tradition of public art in New York’s parks as proof that New York City is, at last, ready for Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s vision.

"…excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism."

(b. January 29, 1954)

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Harlem Meer Center