My photos included below.
If you haven't seen them, and if you can get to NYC in the next 5 days to do so, you won't regret it.
The finest collection of superfluous outdoor tangerine shower curtains I have ever seen. Breathtaking.
Orange sheets on poles.....that isn't art....I'm sorry.
I'm frustrated that I'm such a klutz that I can't get my images on line. Sorry.
Great description! I'd love to see them, but I don't think I'll be able to get up there.
I saw the Running Fence (in fact, I used to drive by it on a regular basis) many a long year ago. I scoffed at it at first, but the wonderful thing was that it really did make you look at the hills in a way you normally didn't bother to do. I think a lot of Christo's art is simply that he puts something in place that makes you see other things that were there all along - but that you never noticed.
This could be a shape, a line, a color. And somehow you've walked by it every day without noticing it, until suddenly...
I couldn't see the photos, btw. Did you post them? Thanks!
Perhaps Christo can finance the next Presidential Inaugural so we won't have to hear the liberal whining about moeny which could be better be spent on the Iraqis or others in need.
Thank you RP for your posting and your photos. I too would encourage everyone who can, to get down to Central Park and experience it for yourself.
Central Park on Sunday was alive. Alive in the dead of Winter with people, and with the Gates.
From Central Park South up to 114th Street, there were masses of people, all kinds of people, families, children, people who came from all over the tri-State area and all over the world.
Everyone talked to each other, and shared their thoughts. Many admitted they had come with an attitude, sure they would hate the Gates. Almost all went on their way smiling.
Seeing the Park and the Gates,one can't separate one from the other, in the fading sunlight, from all different perspectives was a delightful feast for the eyes and imagination.
Depending one's taste, (or lack thereof), one might call them nice decorations or ornaments.
But it isn't ART by any means.
I say this as someone who makes a living as an artist who appreciates true artistry and/or craftsmanship in a wide variety of media and never had to take a dime of public money or litter the countryside with fabric to do so.
I'd like to see them in person, they look pretty cool. I don't see any pictures.
I may be totally wrong but I'm confident that I will be quickly corrected if I am. Christo is so admired that he doesn't need for any of his truly awesome efforts or "works of art" to be paid for by John Q Public. I am always interested in what he does.
No thanks. I'll take Monet, Degas and Renoir every time. Arranging fabric on the landscape to me is just so much self-indulgent silliness.
I saw them last week, traversed Cental Park twice on foot. I thought the gates very nice. I do consider them "art," and good art at that. Not sure about "very good."
OTOH, I put them in the category of interior decorating (also art), albeit interior decorating outdoors - exterior decorating, I guess. Actually it looks like a lot of flags and banners, gives a medieval fete kind of impression on a grand scale, if anything.
While in Manhattan, I also stopped by the Dahesh, the Hispanic Society (to see the Sorollas) and the Met. I have to say that Christo's work isn't at all on the level of the greats of the art world that are found in other parts of NYC (including many of the buildings). But seeing the Christo stuff is a one time thing, it's worthwhile for sure.
Delightful description, professor.
I respect your opinion and credentials; however, as one who dabbles in art, I'm afraid that I do not agree.
From Christo's curtain across a gorge, to his running fence, to umbrellas stuck in the ground, my belief is that Christo's work belongs to a very select genre of artist - that being a con artist.
That said, it's fine with me that some folks enjoy the works.
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Close. Golden Horde. Mongol camp. Barbarians at the Gates of Rome (New York, USA). Painfully obvious.
Painfully obvious that I have no idea what it's about but my interpretation is at least provocative.
Is it supposed to look garish?
It seems to have stirred a passion in you that has gone beyond the exhibit. Something every artist strives to do. Good for him and for you.
I am hoping to see them before they go....I happen to love Christo.
This "art" does nothing but obscure what is truly beautiful - the park. Olmstead is the artist here, not Christo.