The greatest city on earth has another reason to brag with
unveiling of long-awaited public art project The Gates by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Despite its popularity, some visitors feel $21 million art installation is not art at all. Whether a work of art or spectacle, orange flags strung like a ribbon throughout Central Park are sparking conversation and drawing in visitors by subway load. 
According to Central Park Conservancy, which sells official Gates merchandise at Park’s entrance on 59th Street, 10 to 20 million people are expected to visit park during 16 days that The Gates are on display.
“February is slowest month for tourism in city and exhibit has already brought an unexpected number to park, which is usually dead in winter,” said Central Park Conservancy staff member, Chris Trimbull, 25. “I think it’s more popular than anyone had realized.”
Before The Gates opened, a mere 200,000 visitors were expected, however, day after Mayor Michael Bloomberg unfurled 1,089,882 square feet of streaming saffron fabric along 23 miles of park paths, attendance was already at 700,000 people.
Standing 16 feet high, The Gates are attracting young, elderly, tourists and students alike, who took photographs, held hands, and observed temporary display, despite temperatures falling below freezing.
New York's AM news station 1010 WINS recently conducted an online web poll asking if The Gates are art or joke. Out of 1298 respondents, 65% said joke. Lou Quillio is in agreement. With his sister and two daughters, he drove three hours from Saratoga, New York to see golden gates. “It’s just a thing, it’s less art and more social aspect, it’s an attraction and a spectacle,” said Quillio.
