Central Park is a little slice of heaven in NYC for the 8 million people that live here. Over 15O years ago, the NYC legislature designated the 24 miles of farm and dairy land, as public space. In so doing, they assured that New Yorkers would have a refuge and comfort in natural wonder of nature.

As I approached Central Park Sunday, I thought about how my own personal history and development is so intertwined with this incredibly luscious green space in the summer, and how it has become for me this winter a quiet meditative grey space to help in my healing process from this damned carpel tunnel and tendonitis.

Last week, as I began to walk around in the park, after one of my physical therapy appointments, I began to see crews of men placing these dark pedestals on either side of the footpaths throughout the park. It was annoying because the walking paths are not very wide to begin with, and now these pedestals were further limiting the footpath space by over a foot in width by 3 feet in length on either side.

On Sunday when my son and I walked around we had to get out of the park because essentially there was not enough foot space for 4 people to walk side by side, so people were bumping into us constantly.

At first I was perplexed because these things were everywhere. It seemed like to massive a project for the Park Conservation Committee to undergo without letting NY residents know this would be happening. When I later heard about The Gates art project I was really annoyed. The total cost for the project: 23 Million dollars plus 3 Million for the 750 police officers to guard the exhibit every night for 16 nights.

At first I was just angry over the installation because the miles of non-biodegrable nylon tarp blocks everyone's view of nature in every direction. As you walk, all you can see is a sea of artificial flourescent/day glo orange fabric and steel. When I learned of the cost it pushed me over the edge. I love art, I even have 3 memberships to reflect my love, interest and support of art. To spend that much money on nylon, plastic and steel I feel is unconscionable!

Maybe if you saw the park from my point of view [in pictures], you might understand my love for this space, and my frustration with The Gates [of Hell], that are currently transforming my beloved park. Maybe then you'll understand why, even though I love art, I find this project to be an eyesore and a stressful nightmare.

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Posted by: Michele at 11:55 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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I believe everyone has the right to speak their mind in a coherent and intelligent manner to prove their point. When you get to name calling, however, all bets are off. An insult like this can only be responded to with a swift kick to the "nads".

In his essay, Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens, CU professor Ward Churchill argues that:

• Victims of the Sept. 11th attacks were "technocrats of empire, ... little Eichmanns inhabiting the sterile sanctuary of the twin towers"

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Posted by: Michele at 09:10 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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