New Yorkers either loved or hated The Gates. From afar, the February 2005 art installation was a giant orange snake that traced the pathways in Manhattan’s Central Park (okay, the fabric’s color was officially called "saffron" but come on, that’s as orange as a box of Wheaties). Up close, the brainchild of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude was unexpectedly thrilling for many visitors, including me. In a city with a pace that can easily be described as breakneck, I’d never seen anything like it: throngs of smiling people strolling leisurely during such a gray and chilly month, looking around with wonder and discussing the same topic. I remember thinking: Bravo to anyone who can pull that off. (Not to mention the logistics of building such a huge work of art.) If you missed the experience, or want to relive it, catch the TV premiere of the documentary The Gates, which debuts on HBO tonight at 10 p.m.
After the jump, more art — a photo from my personal collection of the deliciously memorable, very orange Gates.
Comments (1-12) of 12 Add your comment
Awesome pic!!
I really like your “saffron” contribution.
I loved The Gates. It was strangely moving and absolutely beautiful. Stuck to my fridge, I still have a piece of the Gates volunteers were handing out.
I am definitely looking forward to the Doc.
Hee. Cool popsicle.
Great photo, Christine.
Looks like creamcicles.
Like the headline — they were definitely orange. Saffron is a real stretch. Now I’m off to eat a saffron popsicle.
Mmmmmm…Creamsicles…….
Very nice photo. They should’ve called the pieces “Creamsicle” instead of “Saffron.” That said, saffron really is about that color. Is the installation still there or did I miss it?
While i must disagree about the Gates, I have always enjoyed this picture! Thanks for sharing!!!
The photography in that documentary was beautiful but overall it was like The Gates, pretty, interesting, but not that inspiring (and certainly not as inspiring as people made it seem). I don’t need a bunch of saffron flag posts to help me find wonder in NYC.
Whenever I see or hear The Gates, all I can think about is Stephen Colbert’s review:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=128894&title=the-gates
Even though I actually LOVED The Gates. LOL