As previously mentioned, I went for a little excursion yesterday to New York City (where they make some of the best picante sauce around) to see Christo and Jeanne Claude's 'The Gates,' a public, temporary, art installation. Since Becky, of Good Grief! fame, was headed down as well, and she claimed to know the ways of SEPTA/NJ Transit (more later) I tagged along with her, which let me save $70 on an Amtrak ticket and turned a solitary trip into a group sortie.
When I first saw the Gates as we walked towards Central Park I was far from impressed. In fact, I may have remarked to Becky, 'I came from Philadelphia to see THIS?' or something along those lines. However, once we entered the Park and I saw the full extent of the project, I was impressed. Walking amongst the Gates was an odd experience, but not in a bad way. Perhaps surreal is a better word for it. And having lots of people enjoying the day (the weather was great) and the Park, and the art, and each other was very nice.
I took a bunch of pictures, so check 'em out. Becky has also posted about the trip, so read her thoughts and check out her pictures.
I also took a few movies, for your pleasure:
- The lovely Gates, and the elusive Becky (1.06 MB)
- The Gates, with narration by Scott using a strange voice (1.7 MB)
- Blowin' in the Wind (779 KB)
I'll relate a few amusing things about the trip in a later post (well, they're amusing to me), for now enjoy the pictures, and if you are in or around New York anytime before Feb. 27.
If you would like to read more reactions about the Gates, check out the Gates blog, lot o' good Gates lovin' over there.
For their next project I think Christo and Jeanne Claude should wrap Philly's City Hall up with transparent fabric.
