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Yep, something to talk about
as we are now.
I know politics, religion, money, and mores have started wars...I wonder if art ever did?
(Although it HAS driven a few duels, homicides, and suicides...which just drives up the value. Imagine a WAR!!).
posted by
majroj
on March 4, 2005 at 7:31 AM
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Majroj, I think one of the values
of really good art is it's controversial nature. There will always be people on both sides of
these arguments about Christo's work. Each of us brings our own personality and character to the viewing of a work. As I stood in Central Park last week, under a crisp blue sky, with sun shimmering off these billowing "gates" I was ecstatic. Meanwhile, around me, I heard people mumbling "looks like shower curtains to me."
posted by
Cynthia
on March 1, 2005 at 5:49 AM
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PS: turns out the story is fiction, with it's own soap opera to tell.
posted by
majroj
on February 27, 2005 at 4:48 PM
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I'm not angry. I'm grinning.
I'm just not a fan of his work as it has been to date. I've seen enough grand visions coming to naught but trash. If I want to see beautiful things lining my walkways which move with the wind and change day to day and season to season, I look to the trees. Perhaps Cristo's vision will move people to plant trees there when he's done? He could leave planting holes.
One of my favorite stories is about the old man planting the oaks in Spain. Now THAT is a Cristo-worthy undertaking, except that the pace and the ephemeral nature of his projects make them "Cristo work", and not a WPA project.
Dunno where the trees things came from.
posted by
majroj
on January 10, 2005 at 6:31 PM
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Cynthia, I would imagine. There were quite a few complaints from people that questioned the "art" of it. It would be nice to see how much they have improved. I assume there will be lots of pictures on the internet when this is finished.
posted by
TAPS.
on January 10, 2005 at 4:10 PM
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Isaiah, nice to be talking
to a fellow New Yorker (I was born there.) I think the short time has something to do with a combination of things. One, money for extra security guards, police etc. and an attempt tp molify environmentalists who feel that THE GATES are very bad for the bird population in the park.
posted by
Cynthia
on January 10, 2005 at 4:04 PM
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Tapsel-T Those walkways in
in Kansas are not too pretty. I think their work has developed for the better since then.
posted by
Cynthia
on January 10, 2005 at 4:00 PM
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Exciting...
I'm looking forward to my regular bike rides in Central Park when THE GATES is up. I knew about the project, but I didn't know the long history behind it. It's not only shows tenacity, but also perseverance (or, two apt Yiddishisms might apply -- chutzpah and moxie!) My only question is: Why such a short period of time for the installation? I know it isn't supposed to be permanent -- but it seems like it should remain up for at least a couple of months, rather than a few weeks... Perhaps you know.
Incidentally, it's true about Bloomberg. Previous to running for mayor, he was a lifelong Democrat. He just ran on the Republican ticket to get on the ballot. In any case, no one can really run for public office in NYC and be truly conservative. (Even Giuliani is liberal in most of his policy stances -- his cultural conservatism aside.)
posted by
Isaiah_in_a_Rage
on January 10, 2005 at 12:30 PM
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Cynthia
The Parisians always have art projects which are out there going on so I guess they took it in their stride. My French was not sufficient to pick up the nuances.
posted by
beachbelle
on January 10, 2005 at 11:15 AM
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Cynthia - Very interesting. They came here to Kansas City in 1977-78 and wrapped all the sidewalks of Loose Park.
.
posted by
TAPS.
on January 10, 2005 at 7:29 AM
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Majroj, now that's a GREAT idea
But unfortunately Christo has to deal with places that have systems and and a stable government inplace. Everything he does is legal, proper permits and all that stuff. But I know what you're getting at with your suggestion. Christo provokes a lot of anger too, people think all that money could be better spent elsewhere.
posted by
Cynthia
on January 10, 2005 at 4:01 AM
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fw, I think part of Al Maysles
intent (the filmmaker who documents Christo) is to capture public reaction to the installations.
posted by
Cynthia
on January 10, 2005 at 3:57 AM
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Beachbelle,what did the Parisians
think of Christo?
posted by
Cynthia
on January 10, 2005 at 3:51 AM
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What if Christo clothed the Sudan in trees?
posted by
majroj
on January 9, 2005 at 10:38 PM
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Art for art's sake
I especially enjoy the looks from everyday non-art lovers who look at his projects and wonder why he did it and what does it mean???
posted by
fwmystic
on January 9, 2005 at 8:13 PM
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... also because I had never heard of the work until then, at the time I did not appreciate what I was missing
posted by
beachbelle
on January 9, 2005 at 3:07 PM
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Cynthia
I have long been fascinated by these Christo projects. Perhaps it is the mistake that many artists make that they try to sell the big pieces when they should fund themselves selling the work that surrounds them. I have long pondered this in terms of my other half who is an artist. And it may even applies with regard to writing.
Christo came to my attention for the Pont Neuf project. I had just spend a month staying in Rue Pont Neuf (on the right bank side) and walked across the bridge many times. Sadly I left Paris a few days before. That I do regret.
posted by
beachbelle
on January 9, 2005 at 3:06 PM
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