Three years ago, renowned artistsChristo and
Jeanne-Claude
electrified the art world -- and particularly New
York City -- with their creation ofThe Gates in Central Park.
Like all their previous large installations,The Gates
was on display for only a limited time (16 days), and
then it was dismantled and destroyed -- all 7,503
gates and their saffron-colored fabric panels. Only
the memory -- and millions of photos -- remain.
For me, the work had an impact beyond its artistic
one; it provided me with the subject of my very first
video not involving grandchildren. Now I love my
three grandchildren, but if this septuagenarian
fashions himself as the Grandma Moses of the
film-making world, he has to engage in subjects of
more provocative interest than his children's
children, however engaging the little tykes are.
So five days before the Feb. 12, 2005, opening
ofThe Gates,
I took my little camcorder down to the park and
started shooting. I kept shooting until the last gate
was dismantled. I then taught myself rudimentary
video editing and scoring a video. The final result
turned out to be pretty much as you would guess --
amateurish but earnest.
Undiscouraged and certainly not bowed, I have since
moved on to larger and more professional
high-definition camera equipment, immersed myself in
powerful editing software, and and am ready now to
write, direct, edit and score my magnum opus. Except
for one thing. I'm lacking a story as compelling
asThe Gates.
So until I find its equal, I'll have to settle right
here for sharing with you My First Video --The Gates.
Click on the link below to see the six-minute video: