In February of 2005, The Gates — a public art installation by visionary artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude — transformed the landscape of New York City's Central Park. While it was only up for 16 days, it had a profound and lasting impact.
Now, 20 years and many technological advances later, we can introduce a whole new generation to The Gates. 
The Gates came to life through collaboration between Christo and Jeanne-Claude and the Bloomberg administration in City Hall. As one of the largest and boldest examples of public art in modern history, it attracted more than four million visitors, generated about $250 million in economic activity, and sparked new conversations about the power of art to bring people together and energize cities.
For New York, the installation marked a turning point in the years following September 11, 2001: "Our city was still recovering from the 9/11 attacks," said Mike. "The Gates really helped us remind the world that New York City was more vibrant and full of life and creativity than ever before." 
Mike unfurls the first fabric panel at the opening of The Gates in 2005.
We're inviting you to join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original work with a comprehensive, multiplatform retrospective: An exhibit at The Shed in New York City, an augmented reality experience in Central Park on the free Bloomberg Connects app and access to videos, audio commentary, images, and more, also on the Bloomberg Connects app.
Keep reading for more about The Gates and the many ways we're commemorating this iconic public art installation.
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Bloomberg Philanthropies
Watch this short video to learn about the history, logistics, and impact of The Gates — in under a minute. 
Mike shares his experience meeting Christo and Jeanne-Claude, his excitement for the project and the administration's work to bring The Gates to Central Park, and what it meant for New York City. 
Twenty years after Christo and Jeanne-Claude pulled off the seemingly impossible, we have the technology to help a new generation experience The Gates. Visitors to Central Park can use the Bloomberg Connects app to see a digital, interactive re-creation of The Gates lining select pathways in the Park. 
At "Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City," an exhibit at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City, you get a behind-the-scenes look at the development and planning of The Gates. The exhibit also includes scale models and insights into other ambitious public art projects that Christo and Jeanne-Claude considered for New York City.
To mark the 20th anniversary of The Gates, the Bloomberg Connects app has added features to three guides: The Central Park Conservancy, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, and The Shed. The guides can be used to enhance in-person visits to The Shed exhibit and experience the augmented reality Gates in Central Park. The updated guides also include audio from Christo, Jeanne-Claude, and Mike, video content, a timeline of The Gates development, and other features that can be accessed wherever you are.
We want to see your photos of The Gates — from the original 2005 installation and the 2025 augmented reality experience. Share your images on social media using the hashtag #TheGates to join the 20th anniversary celebration.
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