The Associated Press

Some reaction from Saturday’s opening of “The Gates”:

“It’s poetry in motion. It’s for the moment – a kind of Zen. But what fascinates me, even more than the project itself, is that Christo never gave up, despite everything.”

– Barbara Knorr, a social worker from St. Gallen, Switzerland.

“Reading about ‘The Gates’ made me curious. Christo has done this kind of thing enough times, I thought, that there must be something to it.”

– Paul Simon, of Shiloh, N.J., who works in health care marketing.

The artists “created a temple in the park; it’s become like a holy place to walk.”

– Thea Stone, psychotherapist from Manhattan.

“The art is in the collaborative effort, the sociological aspect. Today, you’re seeing strangers talking to each other about ‘The Gates’ – and New Yorkers acting all fuzzy and friendly. I don’t think this is about liking it or disliking it. It’s about being in the moment.”

– Brenda Reingold, a New York corporate event stylist.

“I just wanted to see if it was as impressive live as it was on the Internet. And it surpasses that. …I love it.”

– Susan Buccellato, of Englishtown, N.J.

“I can’t promise, particularly since this is New York, that everyone will love ‘The Gates,’ but I guarantee that they will all talk about it. And that’s really what innovative, provocative art is supposed to do.” – Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“It’s a waste of money, but it’s fabulous. It brings happiness when you look at it.” – Shakana Jayson, a fourth-grader from Queens.

“You ask us to talk. This project is not involving talk. It’s a real, physical space. It’s not necessary to talk. You spend time, you experience the project.” – Christo.

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