'Gates' Gazing

KIMBERLY KISSAM, 36
Photographer/Boston

Q. Did you come to New York specifically to visit "The Gates"?

A. No, I did not. But it was on my list of things to do because I had heard a lot about it in Boston.

What was your initial reaction?

At first, when I was coming down on the bus, I could see "The Gates" from my window and I didn't like them at all. I thought the park looked like a construction zone. They seemed really intrusive. The park is the one place where people can come and connect with nature, and to put these bright orange gates that have no such meaning and spending $20 million seemed like such an awful waste.

What changed your mind?

So today, we were walking through it and found that it was very interactive. You can walk through the park and be part of this artwork. And it is so massive and huge and is kind of in your face, and it grew on me. I think it is a nice contrast to the park.

Which view do you like the most?

I think the pond behind Strawberry Fields is the prettiest. "The Gates" there, with the ponds and the buildings backing up against it, are just beautiful. And I like how the fabric flows with the wind. When I was on bus looking at it, I just didn't get that. Plus, it was raining.

What else do you plan to do in New York while you are here?

We are going out to Long Island to see the Gold Coast, and I want to go shopping at Barneys. And we'll probably go out to dinner.