Christo Event — Page 3

Well, I traipsed through the Park today to experience what everyone was talking about.

Aesthetically, I wish the color were a little richer. They, in fact, are not construction cone orange. The color on the beams could stand to be a tad more vibrant. The fabric itself was a little too industrial for me. Although I'm sure it wouldn't be feasible, I would have LOVED it to have been weighted sheers that allow you to see through it and truly catch the breeze. I also would have loved if the fabric had variation in color...all in the same tonal family, just a little more interest.

That said, I thought it was a wonderful walk through the Park. It was PACKED and many people seemed enchanted...or at least interested. Since I had nowhere to be, I took the leisurely stroll, trying to figure out what this instillation meant to me. And then I realized I hadn't been in the Park for about a year. And I had forgotten what a haven it is. All the people, out of towners and locals, and the visual stimulus made for a vigoration walk. Bravo!

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I wish I was able to go to NYC to see them for myself only after reading this thread. I do not care for Christo, never have. I also never heard/read such strong pro- and anti- feelings about his work... it's so awesome! I love to see that *art* can still stir up feelings in people and cause them to be so passionate about it! Go for it. I still think they look dumb, but hey... that's just my opinion. You should see the ruckus caused in Seattle by the prospect of having a nude male statue in a downtown park. You'd think it was the nazi flag or something.

RE: Tourists, be careful how you judge people from other countries. I'll let you know that while vacationing in Europe I realized how much they dislike American tourists. And for good reason. They are loud, demanding, expect everyone to speak English, and get upset when the comforts of home cannot be found there. Yes... some are like that, but not all. But enough for a generalization.

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Yes, Tiff - I was last at MoMA on Friday. The building in itself is a work of art - it's perfect. It's my favorite place.

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I gotta agree with José on this. I'm all for public art in Central Park - but I think these orange shower curtains look pretty wimpy and diffuse.

If he wants to wrap the Bethesda Fountain, fine. I think that would have at least had some visual heft to it. But this display does nothing for me.

And I'm not a snob about contemporary art. I think the Met was insane to pay $47 million for a small "Madonna & Child" by Duccio.

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Updated On: 2/14/05 at 09:55 PM

The epitome of empty, banal and thoroughly uninteresting postmodern "art." A big, yawning, media-hyped and disgraceful bore.

Updated On: 2/14/05 at 10:42 PM

My favorite city art is all over the city and it is whimsical works all over Broadway.
The best one is in front of Lincoln Center. Two people taking a nap. One looks like a frog. It is adorable. Love that artist.
Tom Ottenberg or something like that.

Updated On: 2/14/05 at 10:44 PM

I still don't understand why you're against it.

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In response to Jose's original criticism of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, I found the following on their website:

What are the other products, who gets the money from them?
Christo and Jeanne-Claude have donated all merchandising rights from The Gates to Nurture New York's Nature (associated with the Carriage House Center for Global Issues Foundation), and to The Central Park Conservancy.

Hand-signed posters of The Gates are sold by NNYN. Christo and Jeanne-Claude gave the rights to sell posters as a part of this gift. All the funds go to NNYN. Click here to see their web site.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude do not receive any revenue whatever from the sales of any article based on this gift of posters and merchandising rights.

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The extreme 'proprietorship' being exhibited is really interesting to me. This is a very temporary alteration to what is already a man-made environment, however lovely and naturally reminiscent it might be. Obviously, there are many who are deriving pleasure from it - even if it's only from a heightened state of interest in something they mainly took for granted. I can see no real disadvantage, which leads me to think that there is something entirely different at play in the overtly negative and perjoritive responses.

I wish I could look at it the way robbiej did - but I just can't get past the color, the actual construction and the constant "What the f?" that goes through my mind when I view it. To me, it seems like a colosal waste of time, materials, and energy. I love the park as it stands without these monstrous enhancements. And though I understand completely how NYC can benefit from the tourism income - I have to say that I just couldn't abide the huge crowds of on-lookers in the park who seemed oblivious to the people who were there to do things like exercise, etc. So, I'm one you can count as a "strongly dislike" vote.

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I had heard nothing about it, so when I saw it I was 'What the hell?', and it seemed to me that a lot of other people were wondering the same thing. And I agree with Rath, orange is a disgusting, vile color, and should never be seen, let alone celebrated.

That's good SOMMS, because I think to make this installation complete, there needs to be a video of you running through it naked.

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SOMMS, you are a man after my own color palatte.

Since I've come to NYC, for some reason I've found myself drawn to the color orange. It's vibrant, warming and exciting. A couple of years ago, I bought an orange hoodie sweatshirt. My friends told me I looked like a construction worker. I told them 'Orange is HOT'...six months later, orange was huge. I loved it so much, I painted an accent wall in my old apartment Rhumba Orange. It was specatcular and set off my framed FOLLIES, OH, CALCUTTA!, and THREEPENNY (w/ Raul Julia) ablum covers beautifully.

I think it's a an exciting color.

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