The Gates: A Triumphant Celebration of Central Park

For two weeks of February 2005, millions of people flocked to Central Park to visit Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s The Gates, a sprawling public art installation of 7,503 saffron-hued gates weaving along 23 miles of the Park. The concept proved transcendent. For many, the flowing fabric—rippling and luminous against the stark winter landscape—offered surprising joy, a burst of warmth during the season’s icy grip. For others, it prompted reflection about the world, especially in the midst of a city still healing from the tragedy of September 11.

Now, 20 years later, The Gates is making its triumphant return to the Park in augmented reality (AR). Starting February 12, 2025, visitors can experience an immersive exhibition that brings back some of the original artwork of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, rekindling memories for those who witnessed it in 2005 and unveiling stories for new audiences. Set between East 72nd Street and Cherry Hill in Central Park, this AR experience allows visitors to engage with a portion of the work on their smartphones.

The Long Journey from Idea to Fruition

Long before The Gates made its debut in 2005, the concept was first proposed by the artists in 1980, when the Park was in a fragile state. At the time, concerns arose that the Park’s current conditions would obscure the work’s intended purpose: to celebrate the Park and New York City.

In the years that followed, the Conservancy transformed the Park into a vibrant urban sanctuary. Now, with a restored Park to showcase and the infrastructure in place to support an endeavor of such scale, the project received renewed interest from the Bloomberg administration and a coalition of partners. The Gates was finally approved in 2003, its saffron arches set to frame not just the Park itself, but also the story of a park reborn. This story would unfurl to showcase the art and architecture of the project and, more importantly, the enduring power of resilience, restoration, and collaboration.

A Vision Made Possible by Collaborative Leadership

The monumental scale of The Gates drew an unprecedented four million visitors, underscoring the importance of a robust management infrastructure—not only to oversee the installation but also to protect the Park’s sensitive landscape, diverse wildlife, and the artistic vision and legacy of the Park’s founders, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

The Conservancy helped evolve the original proposal, ensuring the project complemented the Park’s ecological integrity rather than intruding upon it. The team’s expertise was critical to managing the logistical complexities of the installation, allowing The Gates to flourish alongside the Park’s landscapes, wildlife, and community.

The realization of The Gates is also a testament to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s unwavering commitment to fostering a civic culture that values public engagement, innovation, and artistic expression in public spaces. His administration’s support for ambitious projects was instrumental, allowing The Gates to become one of the most celebrated art installations.

Illuminating Central Park’s Beauty and Legacy

The Gates invited millions to embrace a new perspective of Central Park, firmly planting its cultural significance within the broader fabric of New York City. While visitors marveled at how the bright saffron fabric illuminated the Park’s natural beauty, the project reignited public appreciation for Central Park as both a cultural landmark and a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, reconnecting it to the original intentions of the Park.

A Legacy of Joy and Inspiration—Reimagined in AR

Standing out as a unique chapter in the Park’s history—The Gates is revered as a celebration of art, nature, and community. The Gates AR experience invites all visitors to engage in this timeless story through a fresh, contemporary format, revisiting the dialogue of the past while unveiling new layers of meaning in today’s conversations.

Additionally, The Shed is hosting an exhibition, Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City, also opening February 12, 2025 to mark the 20th anniversary of The Gates. This immersive exhibition offers visitors an unprecedented opportunity to explore the artists’ journey, rekindling memories for those who witnessed The Gates and unveiling hidden stories for new audiences. Learn more here.

Hong Vu is the Associate Director of Editorial at the Central Park Conservancy.