In my journal is a fax exchange from 2005 between my friend Lynne Perrella and myself. We met the Perrellas on the steps of the Met at noon on Sunday, February 20. It was freezing cold, but super sunny, and a glorious afternoon to spend with friends, enjoying the energy filled park.
Lynne has graciously shared her experience. She's a dear friend, an artist, designer, author, columnist, and workshop instructor. You can find Lynne online at LKPerrella.com.
“After the last “no”…..is a “YES!” Or, What I Learned About Life, After Seeing The Gates
By Lynne Perrella
The Gates was an experience that offered itself to me in several waves. I expected to be wowed – and I was. On the sunny ultra-cold day that I saw The Gates, I was caught up in the pure delight of parading and processing through the various fluttering saffron-colored draperies. The best part was being able to look ahead and see that there were more, more, more, and still-more of them ahead, beckoning. All throughout Central Park, uphill and down, undulating and preening in the sun – the stunning panels of fabric welcomed people from everywhere to come and make up their own mind. I am sure the doubters came with a treasured chip on their shoulder, but I predict they went away with a smile on their face and a lilt in their step.
All of the joy and hail-fellow-well-met applause for The Gates was preceded by……angst, difficulty, uphill battles, and dark days. For decades, Christo and Jean-Claude met with NYC officials who, alas, did not “get it” about The Gates. Blank stares, ridicule, pointless meetings and presentations that resulted in……nothing. They proposed fluttering artistic panels of orange, and encountered stone walls of unwavering resistance. But, the artists held to their vision, never gave up, and eventually a remarkable thing happened. The City gradually, over many years, became READY for The Gates. Administrations had come and gone, “out with the old, in with the new”, house-cleaning, upgrading, back-sliding, financial miscues and windfalls. Instead of hanging out a big “Open For Business” sign, the City came up with an even better idea: It allowed Christo and Jean-Claude to come and do their thing.
As artists, we thrive on those moments when a great new idea erupts, and we have the luxury to move forward immediately and harvest all that is fresh and new about it. But sometimes the Universe decides that a brilliant idea must marinate, percolate, and shimmer below the surface……until the moment is right. And the artist has no choice but to tend the flame.
The back story of The Gates taught me about the duality of passion and patience – and the endless rewards of work, work, work.
Thanks Lynne! It was so much fun to experience The Gates with you and John.
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