News Detail

 Middle School News

In the beginning of February 2005, a group of Dalton School 4th graders, members of Edinger House, began documenting a remarkable art installation in Central Park conceived and created by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Being located only a block away from the Park, it was a perfect opportunity for Dalton's 4th graders to witness history firsthand. After learning about the artists, some of their earlier installations, and their vision for The Gates, the documenting began. Each child was given a Gates booklet in which to note observations. On February 2nd they took their first walk to the Park to see the bases with each child selecting one of his/her "own". The second visit took place on February 8th, shortly after workers began installing the gates themselves. The children were very excited to see them. Noticing some discarded orange markers they asked if they could take them. The answer was yes, and so children took the markers and we photographed the class holding them. However, shortly thereafter a more senior worker told the children they could not keep the markers, as they were to be recycled. The third visit took place on February 15th after the gates had been unfurled. It was a sunny, warm day and the children found their "own" gates and were photographed next to them. They also had fun playing tag among the gates on the Great Lawn. After each visit the children wrote responses in their booklets and added photographs. At the end of the project, they pulled everything together into a culminating collage. This important art installation was wonderfully documented by each student and their observations and insights have been included on their 4th Grade Gates Website. Please scroll down to observe all of the photographs.