All projects: Gel, Jobs, Gootodo, Games, Uncle Mark, Goovite, Blog, Bit Literacy
Christo and Jeanne-Claude's The Gates... and good experience
Feb 11, 2005
Anyone who wants a good example of good experience - practically a definition of it, really - should look no further than The Gates, the new art installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude which opens in New York City's Central Park tomorrow (Sat. Feb 11).
I'm especially pleased to see this take shape, as Christo and Jeanne-Claude created such anticipation at Gel 2004 when they described how the project would take shape. This, in a way, is the culmination of last year's Gel experience.
I consider Christo and Jeanne-Claude to be among the best creators of good experience in the world. Consider what, in my opinion, are the key aspects of the experience of The Gates:
- The artists' purpose (as I understand it) is merely to create something beautiful for people to experience.
- While there's no stated meaning, there's an open invitation for everyone to find their own meaning, have their own experience, and interpret it as they choose.
- Everyone is invited. The work is neither esoteric (and so attractive only to the elite) nor low-brow. To the contrary, it is accessible to *everyone* who comes to experience it, and it is rich enough to pay dividends to the most discerning or interested visitor. No wonder a cadre of paid workers have followed Christo and Jeanne-Claude across the globe, and across the decades, to work on each project!
- The elements are relatively simple - steel bars, saffron fabric - yet the results are rich, complex, and beautiful.
- The work itself doesn't call attention to itself as much as it calls out the beauty in what it surrounds. It feels positive.
- The project is environmentally friendly, financially sound (there's no cost to the city or visitors), and aesthetically beautiful.
An open invitation; simple elements for rich results; appreciation of context; and an eye towards beauty. These are outstanding qualities of a truly good experience.
And here's my immediate personal experience. I walked through Central Park today (Friday), and even the "unopened gates," with banners furled in preparation for tomorrow's opening, are strikingly beautiful.
Here are three images from my walk: image 1, image 2, image 3.
More images from the setting-up process come from Jok Church's excellent blog.
I look forward to the opening tomorrow, and encourage you to find a way to visit this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Gates disappear entirely on February 27.
P.S. GEL *walkthrough* of The Gates: If you've come to the Gel conference in the past, or you're considering coming this year, drop me a note and I'll tell you when and where we're all meeting for a walkthrough of The Gates on this Tuesday, Feb. 15. E-mail me at mark at goodexperience dot com.
Just out of curiosity, how are these projects . . . funded?
The artists pay for all expenses themselves.
I went to Berlin in 1996 when they wrapped the Reichstag, and it was stunning. I usually don't like the word "experience" as it's been so abused by marketing drivel, but it really fits Christo and Jeanne-Claude's art. The context and the public character of the art installations are really part of the whole, well, experience. I also like that it's temporary - knowing that it will be gone in a few weeks makes being around it a lot more intense.