The Gates Live

| | Comments (2)

Today I am no longer an employee of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Construction of The Gates is complete. Yesterday morning my team unfurled the fabric on the gates we constructed. We each took turns going down the line as a cheering throng surrounded us.

Our proximity to Columbus Circle explained the crowd, but it felt as if they were there for us.

All week as we built, people stopped to ask questions or to share their opinion. As we worked yesterday I talked to vistors from Germany, Austria, Denmark, and many other countries. They had all travelled for the singular purpose of seeing this monuental effort.

Somewhere, in some photo album somewhere, there is a picture of me on that historic day.

Although my photography of the project will not be here for a few more days, media coverage has been staggering. Please visit these links for more information.

The Gates, Central Park, New York, 1979-2005 - The New York Times Complete Coverage
Christo Does Central Park - NPR
Gates alive! - New York Daily News
Big Apple Gets The Big Orange - New York Post

2 Comments

Sarah said:

Sam--

I haven't got the list of contacts from Syd yet, but figured I could reach you this way. Any AU RI'ers out there who could talk about funding for rehabbing religious properties?

We made the CP circuit on Sunday, starting up at Harlem meer (quiet and hilly, you could hear the gates best up there) and working our way down to 59th St. The view from CPS 17th floor was awesome, but Christo and Jeanne-Claude were right: it's much better appreciated on the ground. I hope you get a chance for a return trip later this month. Go gates!

sarah

Aileen said:

Hi Sam! I am heading up to the Gates on Saturday with my better half (my mother) and we want to big up your section. Did you carve anything into a pole, Sam Was Here? All that saffron is vaguely alarming for me, as it reminds me of election time in India when saffron and free stuff meant anti-Muslim circuses. Anyway, thanks for your help so we can play in public art. The City needs something to keep it humble.
Cheers,
A - (leen)

Leave a comment

Who is this guy?

Sam Felder is a web designer and occasional writer in Los Angeles, CA.

Born in Washington, DC, Sam and his family moved to Peoria, IL, where he grew up and went to school. He returned to DC in 2003 and left for the west coast in late 2005.

See me speak at SXSW Interactive 2008

Archives

Recent Activity

Today

  • Sam tweeted, "I don't think tonight's presidential debate could possibly have had less substance: http://tinyurl.com/6arb64"
  • Sam is attending IxDA-SF Presents: Matt Jones, "Playfulness in Design" at odopod
  • Sam tweeted, "slowly getting better at making espresso. still terrible at foaming soymilk..."

April 15

  • Sam tweeted, "Glad that I filed my income tax last week. I had to pay but at least I don't have to spend today stressed out!"
  • Sam tweeted, "OH: I think the future of dolls is..."

April 12

  • Sam tweeted, "biking in SF makes me want terrain view in google maps on the iPhone. These hills are serious!"
  • Sam tweeted, "every time I see an airplane gracefully take off I'm impressed that we can do that. It really is amazing!"

April 10

  • Sam tweeted, "Making plans for a great weekend up in SF. The weather is going to be great and I plan to spend as much of it outside as possible."
  • Sam tweeted, "Loving the new season of Radiolab http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/"

April 9

  • Sam tweeted, "up late watching video from TED"
  • Sam saved the link NewsVisual

April 7

  • Sam tweeted, "Why does iTunes keep downloading partial podcasts? I don't want 18 minutes of This American Life. I want the full hour!"

April 4

April 3

  • Sam saved the link City songbirds are changing their tune
  • Sam tweeted, "I dreamt that it was suddenly May and I had forgotten to file my taxes. Is it a sign that I should stop procrastinating?"

April 2