FEBRUARY
12, 2006 --
Thank
you Christo and Jeanne Claude for your
inspiration and commitment to an idea.
"The Gates" the work of art conceived in 1979 by
Christo and Jeanne-Claude for Central Park and, 26
years later, placed on the park as canvas under the
direction of the artists and Chief Engineer and
Director of Construction Vince Davenport and his wife,
Project Director Jonita Davenport, underscored for
this writer, not only the artistic spark, but the
indomitable endurance of the human spirit.
 |
Vince
and Jonita Davenport.
|
There
is a 1980 photo of Christo and Jeanne Claude, accompanied by
their attorney, Theodore Kheel,
well-known in New York City more than a quarter
century ago, as a labor negotiator, meeting with then
Parks Commissioner Gordon Davis.
This writer felt some
poignancy seeing the photo -- of the artists and their
attorney looking relatively young in 1980. Mr. Kheel
was spotted at the press conference held at the
Metropolitan Museum the day before "The Gates" were
unfurled -- he, in particular, looked a good deal older
after 25 years.
The exclusive photographer for the
artists is Wolfgang Volz.
This writer was just one of
the many thousands of people who were drawn to "The
Gates" and took many personal photographs of them.
Certainly this writer makes no claim that these photos
are comparable to those of the noted Mr. Volz. They
are posted here, one year later, in appreciation -- of
the creativity and endurance of the artists, the
engineering and practical skills of the
Davenports -- and of Mayor Bloomberg, backed by Parks
Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Central Park
Administrator Douglas Blonsky, who was willing to give
the go-ahead to an imaginative work of art that
previous City administrations could not accept.
These
photos, then, are posted as retrospective for LPR
clicksters around the world not only as a reminder of
the work of art that was on display in Central
Park,one year ago -- but of the lesson given us by
Christo and Jeanne-Claude that, in time one's dream
can become reality, one's ideas can find acceptance.
 |
Shana
posing with Balto and the Gates in Central Park.
|
 |
| Billowing
Gates … |
 |
Gates
standing out in the snow, a year ago.
|
 |
More
Gates in the snow.
|
 |
The
Gates with a view of Mid-town Manhattan in the background.
|
 |
The
Gates - close-up.
|
 |
The
Gates in the Southeast Corner of Central Park.
|
 |
Gates
- Harlem - Meer …
|
|
 |
Christo
and Jeanne-Claude.
|
 |
Jeanne-Claude
and Christo walking through their creation …
|
 |
The
Gates line up like soldiers in a row.
|
 |
An
overview …
|
 |
Gates
parading around Heckscher Field.
|
 |
Running
through the Gates in matching color..
|
 |
The
Gates line Central Park West.
|
 |
Gates
around the Wollman Rink with a great view of the skyline.
|
 |
The
Gates at the Wollman Rink.
|
 |
The
Gates backing the famous Alexander Hamilton statue.
|
 |
The
Gates shine in the mid-day light.
|
 |
Gates
reflecting the morning sun.
|
 |
The
Gates loook impressive even as their reflection.
|
 |
A
Gate Waving …
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
