Feb 9, 2006 12:53 pm US/Eastern
CBS2 Classics: Feb. 2005 - The Gates
23 Miles Of Art In Central Park
by Mark Rodriguez, CBS 2 News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
For 16 days in February 2005, Central Park played host to 23 continuous miles of artwork. "The Gates," from artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, employed more than 1 million square feet of saffron-colored fabric suspended from 7,500 16-foot-high posts.
At 8:30 a.m. on February 12, 2005, a cold and windy Wednesday morning, Mayor Michael Bloomberg opened the first gate, "unzipping" the fabric to open the exhibition.
Positioned 12 feet apart and lining walkways throughout the park, The Gates provided a saffron river accentuating the winding footpaths.
The artists aspired to create a major public work for New York since emigrating from Europe in 1964. Fascinated by the vast numbers of people walking through the streets of New York City, they decided to create an art project that was related directly to pedestrians.
The Gates exhibition was first proposed in 1979, under the name "The Thousand Gates," but was rejected in 1981. On January 22, 2003, Mayor Bloomberg finally approved the proposal for completion in February 2005.
Mixed Reactions"It's a bit insane, but that's why everybody is here," said Ali Naqui, who was unwillingly brought to the unveiling by his fiancee.
"It's a waste of money, but it's fabulous," said student Shakana Jayson. "It brings happiness when you look at it."
Dominique Borel, who was walking her dog, said, "I think it's fantastic. I love it. I think it's exhilarating." Her dog, Mickey, was wearing an orange scarf around his neck in honor of the project.
"February's always been a dreary month for me, so I think it kind of spices it up a little bit and makes me want to come out to the park at a time when I usually wouldn't," James Ellis said.
"I can't promise, particularly since this is New York, that everyone will love The Gates, but I guarantee that they will all talk about it," Bloomberg said. "And that's really what innovative, provocative art is supposed to do."
When asked to speak about the project, Christo was characteristically at a distance. He explained "You ask us to talk. This project is not involving talk. It's a real, physical space. It's not necessary to talk. You spend time, you experience the project."
The last of the Gates exhibition removed on March 11, 2005.
Today, people still recall the artwork and street vendors in Central Park still sell photos of The Gates.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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