|
|
 |
|
| News & Scoreboards |
Philanthropists at the Gates
Tatiana Serafin
07/01/2004
|
On the morning of February 12, 2005, The Gates, a massive unfolding of 7,500
vinyl and fabric archways by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, will billow
over 23 miles of footpaths in New York’s Central Park. For 16 days, park
visitors will share green space with the latest of the husband-and-wife team’s
19 large-scale outdoor projects. This will mark the first time, however, that
the artists have routed a significant revenue stream from their work to
philanthropy.
 | | THE GATES image is already appearing in earnest on tote bags, scarves,
coffee mugs and posters. All proceeds will go to Nurture New York’s
Nature. |
The Gates image is already appearing in earnest on tote bags,
scarves, coffee mugs and posters on sale at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with
all proceeds going to Nurture New York’s Nature (NNYN), a membership foundation
of public and private organizations that supports environmental and arts
programs. NNYN is the brainchild of Theodore Kheel, a philanthropist, lawyer and
close friend of Christo and Jeanne-Claude who single-handedly persuaded the
artists to bow both to commerce and to philanthropy.
For years, Christo and
Jeanne-Claude have insisted that no licensing, sponsorship or other deals taint
their work. “Our aim is only to create works of art and joy and beauty,” says
Jeanne-Claude. “We do it for us, not for the public; if other people enjoy them,
that’s a bonus.” They will not benefit financially from the sale of licensed
wares or participate in NNYN’s work.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
