The Gates, Central Park, New York City


Related people
Lisa Cutshaw (was created by)
Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. (landscape architect)
Christo (artist)
Date
1979-2005
Description
The Gates are installed in Central Park. The park was designed by Olmsted and Vaux in 1858. He entered the competition to design the park, with an entry they called Greensward, which was chosen as the park's design.The design of the park had many aspects that would become trademarks of Olmsted's designs. There were winding paths, scenic views and large open areas for relaxation. "The geometric grid pattern of the city blocks surrounding Central Park is reflected in the rectangular structure of the saffron colored vinyl poles, while the serpentine design of the walkways and the organic shape of the bare branches of the trees is mirrored in the continuously changing rounded and sensual movements of the free flowing fabric panels moving in the wind. The 7,500 gates are 16 feet tall, varying in width from 5 feet 6 inches to 18 feet according to the 25 different widths of walkways, on 23 miles of pathways in Central Park. Saffron colored fabric panels, suspended from the horizontal top part of the gates, come down to approximately 7 feet above the ground. The Gates are spaced at 12 foot intervals, except where low branches extend above the walkways. The fabric panels can be seen from far away through the leafless branches of the trees. The installation remained for 16 days, then they were removed and the materials recycled." -http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/tg.html#buyGate Keywords: Manhattan, New York, Kings County, New York City, United States, art, outdoor spaces, parks, views, planned landscapes, snow. Submitted by Goepfert Kathleen.
Style/Period
1970s (1970 - 1979)
1980s (1980 - 1989)
1990s (1990 - 1999)
2000s (2000 - 2009)
Material
cloth or fabric
steel