Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s public art in a new dimension

Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s groundbreaking vision returns to New York City with Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City, an exhibition at The Shed running from February 12th to March 23rd, 2025. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Gates, the artists’ monumental public art installation in Central Park, the show offers an in-depth exploration of their creative process and lasting impact.

In February 2005, The Gates transformed Central Park’s landscape with 7,503 saffron-colored structures lining 23 miles of pathways, drawing millions of visitors. The exhibition at The Shed presents original drawings, scale models, and elements from the installation, alongside photographs and archival footage capturing the project’s development and realization.

Curated by Pascal Roulin, the exhibition also highlights Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s ambitious but unrealized proposals for New York City. These projects, which remained on paper, reveal the artists’ deep engagement with urban space and large-scale interventions. For the first time in the U.S., their conceptual drawings and models will be displayed, providing insight into their visionary approach to public art.

A cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) experience, powered by the Bloomberg Connects app, extends the exhibition beyond The Shed. Visitors to Central Park can use their smartphones to view a digital reconstruction of The Gates in its original location near 72nd Street, offering an immersive way to revisit the historic installation.

Max Hodges, CEO of The Shed, emphasized the exhibition’s significance, stating, “The Gates was an invitation for all New Yorkers to experience art in a communal space. This retrospective allows audiences to reflect on its impact and explore Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s broader artistic vision.”

Betsy Smith, President & CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, noted, “This project brings The Gates back to life in a way that merges history, technology, and the power of public art.” Bloomberg Philanthropies CEO Patty Harris added that the initiative not only honors the past but also underscores the continued relevance of art in shaping urban environments.

The exhibition and AR experience invite both those who remember The Gates and new audiences to engage with Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s legacy. With free tickets available, the project ensures accessibility and broad public participation, staying true to the artists’ commitment to making art open to all.