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Saffron in the city: a colossal installation in New York's Central Park

February 2005 marked the ephemeral installation of a monumental work of art by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in New York City's Central Park. First conceived in 1979 and rejected by New York City government in 1981, the project was approved by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration in 2003. The work of art consisted of 7503 16-foot-high vinyl gates with saffron-colored fabric panels on twenty-three miles of the Park's walkways. Seen from the buildings surrounding the Park, The Gates looked like a saffron flowing river, while those walking through them experienced the ambience of a fluid golden ceiling. Financed entirely by Christo and Jeanne-Claude through their C.V.J. Corporation, The Gates were assembled and installed by thousands of paid workers. Completed on February 12, 2005, The Gates remained in place for sixteen days, after which they were removed and the materials recycled. The work of art was free for all visitors, who continued to use Central Park during the whole process. This historic event provided a memorable and joyous experience for New Yorkers and visitors. This book, which documents the entire project from its beginnings in 1979 to its completion in 2005, is the perfect souvenir for who want to remember this ephemeral work of art.

About the artist:
Christo and Jeanne-Claude (both b. June 13, 1935) have worked in collaboration since 1961, and lived in New York City since 1964. Their large-scale projects include Wrapped Coast, Australia, 1968–69, Valley Curtain, Rifle, Colorado, 1970–72, Running Fence, Sonoma and Marin Counties, California, 1972–76, Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Florida, 1980–83, The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1975–85, The Umbrellas, Japan–USA, 1984–91, Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971–95, Wrapped Trees, Riehen, Switzerland, 1997–98 and The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005.

About the authors:
Anne L. Strauss is Assistant Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. She curated the show "Christo and Jeanne-Claude: On the Way to The Gates" in 2004.

Wolfgang Volz has worked with Christo and Jeanne-Claude as the exclusive photographer of their works since 1971. He was also project director (with Roland Specker) for Wrapped Reichstag and (with Josy Kraft) for Wrapped Trees, and was in charge of The Wall, 13,000 Oil Barrels, 1999. His close collaboration has resulted in many books and more than 300 exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world. He lives and works in Düsseldorf and Stockholm.