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February 15, 2005 11:08 AM- gates
I've lifted this picture from kottke.org. How could I not? Jason calls it "blue and orange are complementary colors." Does this not make it mine? Yes, yes it does.
My mom did not come home from the hospital yesterday. I called last night and my dad was home all by his lonesome on Valentine's Day. They've been married 49 years people!! I think they deserve to spend Valentine's Day together. *sniff* But he sounded okay. I asked him if he'd had supper. He had. Chez my sister who lives one street over from my folks (how great is that?! How about a shout out to my Sis? Thank you Sis for living practically next door to our folks so I can pursue my self-absorbed lifestyle yet know they are completely well-cared for! You're a big reason why I can live so selfishly. I'll remember your birthday this year, I promise). I asked my dad what he had planned for the evening. He said, "I'm going to play on the computer, watch some tv, read awhile and then go to bed." Sweet. Sounds like a perfect evening to me.
Spoke with my mom this morning. Not sure how she is since she is one to put up the cheery front. Because, you know, God loves him some stiff upper lip.
So, the Gates!
If only I could walk through them. I have read much of the commentary and guess what, I love the very idea of them--- I do. And not just because they are such a second chakra saffron orange color (an easy way to my heart). Nay. I love them because they throw small-minded people into a dither.
got 2 cents?
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Milly says:
I keep reading about "The Gates". I live close enough to Manhattan that I should go and check it out. It looks really interesting.
posted on: February 15
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samantha says:
I really loved the artist woman correcting Katie Couric on air - that was hilarious. But! They sound (and look) so beautiful, and I am jealous of anyone who gets to walk through them. All you New Yorkers out there, seize the day!
posted on: February 15
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Molly says:
I will send you pics! Am looking forward to seeing them unfurled. (Hmm, don't think I've ever typed the word 'unfurled' before. Looks odd.)
posted on: February 15
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Croila says:
All the very best for your mam - I hope she picks up really soon.
Oh, and can I go through the gates too? They've got SUCH a pull, don't they?
posted on: February 15
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lizardek says:
And they're only up for 16 days! Talk about a celebration of the ephemeral!
posted on: February 15
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stephanie says:
I think they are very cool. I'd love to walk through them. My ghetto has an "art in public places" committee and they put up very interesting pieces sometimes. Different, but good.
posted on: February 15
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Erica says:
I particularly like the kottke picture titled "Looking North". Walking through them would be akin to walking a labyrinth, I suspect -- it would shift things in you somehow.
posted on: February 15
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Marilyn says:
Ah yes, the Gates...they're seizing lots of imaginations, aren't they? Lovely...and thought-provoking. (And totally in YOUR school colors!) Sorry to hear your Mom's still in the hospital...hope she makes it home soon.
posted on: February 15
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nina says:
My co-worker is on his way to NYC and I am sooooo envious. It just lifts my spirits knowing they are there.
Best wishes to your mom, may she be home soon.
posted on: February 15
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wee says:
From your post, i'm thinking that you didn't catch what John Stewart had to say about the Christos painting the town saffron (not merely orange...SAFFFFFRONNN) Okay, so you know I'm all about the art and the expression and the art, I am. Truly. But 27 million dollars?!!! To decorate a bike path? Um... yeah.
posted on: February 15
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Margaret says:
Bonne sante a ta mere, BP! Les couleurs de la photo sont tres belles.
posted on: February 16
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bp says:
Wee, supposedly 21M-- but let me think, 21M for art (with no gov't funds-- so why do we care?) or 80 gazillion (of our taxes) for war . . . hmnmm, gosh let me think
posted on: February 16
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pastamasta says:
I love blue-and-orange as a colour combination. It look so very striking.
I do hope your mum is feeling better soon. Bronchitis is bloody uncomfortable even in its mild form, which I've had frequently, so she has my sympathy and best wishes. I've tried crossing my alveoli without success, so I'll have to stick to the traditional 'fingers' method.
posted on: February 16
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bad penguin says:
I hope your mom gets better soon and gets to go home.
As for the Gates -- I love the idea on so many levels. I like art that isn't stuffy, and that lots of people can feel a connection with. I love the color. I love the meditative, prayer flag feel it has.
And I think spending $21 million on art can be justified, particularly for public art (as opposed to a painting that's going to sit in a private collection), because people have needs that go beyond food and shelter. And art is one of those needs. I don't hear anyone criticizing rich people for spending millions on a 5th house they don't need, but when it is art, suddenly that is a ridiculous amount to spend.
posted on: February 16
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bp says:
bad penguin-- I couldn't agree more--
posted on: February 16
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samantha says:
hear hear, bad penguin!! You are a very good bad penguin. :)
posted on: February 16
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wee says:
ack. Well, of course I wouldn't have spent the dough on WAR, BP. I'm Canadian, rememeber? I woulda spent it on beer and back bacon and cheap pharmaceuticals, don't cha know. And gay marriages for everyone!
posted on: February 16
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lizardek says:
wee, apparently all the money it cost to build the installation was raised by Christo and his wife. They sold original drawings AND THAT'S ALL to sponsor the project. NYC didn't pay a dime and they're raking in the big bucks off the tourists and people coming to town to see The Gates. :)
posted on: February 16
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wee says:
Okay, I know this thread shouldn't bug me, but it does and here's why: I resent that the moment someone questions the value of something like fine art, they are immediately rejected as a know-nothing, uni-browed troglodyte. Well, I'm neither unibrowed nor a troglodyte. I am, in fact, a living, working, breathing and educated artist. No one would argue more vehemently than I that "people have needs that go beyond food and shelter" as Bad Penguin puts it. But if that is truly the motivation behind the Christo display, wouldn't that money be better spent being put toward the art and music education programs that art routinely stripped out of public school budgets than on a temporary installation only a relative few will experience? Art has a place in the world and in my heart. It feeds my soul. And as such, it has value. But simply by labelling a piece "Fine Art" does not remove it to some higher realm we mere mortals dare not question. It's exactly that sort of pretension I hate about the Business of Art (and don't fool yourself... it is most certainly Big Business, no different that the oil industry or cereal manufacturing or what have you.) I've nothing personally against the Christo piece, really, when it comes right down to it. But I would have been happier knowing that some little kids got to experience the joy of painting and creating (maybe for the first time) instead. But that's just me.
posted on: February 16
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wee says:
Lizardek... I guess that does change the arguement. If that's true, well good for them (and the publicity will be). I really have nothing against the Christo installation per se. Honestly. This discussion started based on a flippant remark I made without alot of thought, but truly it does bother me to see huge sums of money spent on some things when it would serve public interests so much better elsewhere. And that's not simply restricted to fine art. I mean movies, professional sports, bombs and missles, and everything in between too.
posted on: February 16
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bad penguin says:
I did not mean to start a fight! My comment was prompted by a pompous guy I saw on TV over the weekend who said the Gates wasn't art and that Christos was stupid for spending his own money to do it. As for public money -- yes, I do struggle with the whole "rockets, moon shots, spend it on the have nots" balance in what I think should be funded. I have no good answer there.
I had no intention to wee-bash, or start a controversy. Particularly not on someone else's blog. Sorry BP.
posted on: February 16
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samantha says:
ACK! Oh dear. Let it be know that I also adore Wee, and hope that I didn't perpetuate anything - I just liked bad penguin's point. Please forgive me, I didn't intend to start throwing dinner rolls. I've just been very excited about the whole idea of the Gates. Wee totally rocks, and she is so amazing - full of good things, always.
posted on: February 17
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lizardek says:
I'd have to hunt down my source, but I did read it online (Chicago Sun-Time editorial most likely) and was also glad to know since I, too, had thought, wow, 27 million is a lot of money for something that is up for such a short time. I don't begrudge money spent on art either, but it seems everyone has to justify themselves nowadays. :(
posted on: February 17
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wee says:
O Guys! This got so blown out of proportion and if anyone should be apologizing, it's me... the hothead. Talk about the need to justify: I was just in a pissy mood and spoiling for a substantial reason to be so snarkilicious. And so i decided to get my panties in a twist without knowing all the facts. Of course now that I know no public monies were spent on the Christo Gates, I feel utterly and completely stupid. I'm sincerely sorry! Forgive me all!
Okay, now, group hug!!!
posted on: February 18
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wee says:
And Bad Penguin... Just so you know... sometimes I deserve a good wee-bashing every now and then. Case in point!
posted on: February 18
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Sorry, comments are now closed.
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