This blog has moved to www.tarametblog.com
« February 2005 »
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28
When Tara Met Blog
Monday, February 21, 2005
New York City's Golden Gates
By TaraMetBlog

The greatest city on earth has another reason to brag with the unveiling of The Gates, a long-awaited public art project by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. But despite its popularity, some visitors feel the $21 million installation is not art at all. Whether a work of art or spectacle, the orange flags strung like a ribbon throughout Central Park are drawing in visitors by the subway load.

According to the Central Park Conservancy, which sells official Gates merchandise at the Park's entrance on 59th Street, 10 to 20 million people are expected to visit the park during the 16 days that The Gates are on display.

"February is the slowest month for tourism in the city and the exhibit has already brought an unexpected number to the park, which is usually dead in the winter," said Central Park Conservancy staff member, Chris Trimbull, 25. She adds that, "I think it's more popular than anyone had realized."

Before The Gates opened, a mere 200,000 visitors were but the day after Mayor Michael Bloomberg kicked off the unfurling of 1,089,882 square feet of orange fabric, attendance had already hit 700,000 people.

Despite temperatures falling below freezing, last Friday thousands of people milled about, strolling beneath streaming saffron fabric along 23 miles of park paths.

Standing 16 feet high, The Gates attracted the young, elderly, tourists and students alike, who took photographs, held hands and observed the temporary display.

New York's AM news station 1010 WINS recently conducted an online web poll asking if The Gates are art or a joke. Out of 1298 respondents, 65% said joke.

(read more)

Also for those who are not able to go to the park, here is a photo album of the pictures that I took, enjoy:

Link to Photo Album The Gates


New York Magazine: Curtain Up

Posted by Tara at 9:01 PM PST
Updated: Thursday, July 28, 2005 7:12 AM PDT

Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 11:28 PM PST

Name: Oscar Lagunas
Home Page: http://olagunas.paunix.org

Tara;

Isn't art supposed to express someting? Like a feeling or a message?

What do these lovely gates say?

Did they say anything to you as an individual?

-oscar

Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 6:33 AM PST

Name: Tara

Hello Oscar,

To me The Gates don't express anything in particular, although I am impressed at how they were able to construct such a large scale project in a major city. For me it was more the communal experience of the display, it brought everyone together and has stirred a lot of debate and discussion.

You aren't the first person that I talked to who had the same questions. Lots of the people that I interviewed were ambivalent and questioned the merits of the project, while also enjoying being there at the same time. I think the oddity of the exhibit is what the attraction is.

Thanks for visiting,
~Tara

Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 1:23 PM PST

Name: La Nina
Home Page: http://difficult-by-design.blogspot.com

The Gates were certainly lovely (and packed!) and struck me as a representation of hope: a sunburst of color in a sea of gray.

I think that message could have come across for less than $21 million though. :)

Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 5:16 PM PST

Name: jen
Home Page: http://onatrot@blogspot.com

great photos...thanks. was planning to come tomorrow (last day?) but now not able. at least got to see some cool pics.

View Latest Entries