New York City is buzzing with the imminent opening of Christo & Jeanne-Claude’s public art project, “The Gates, Central Park, New York City, 1979-2005,” this Saturday (weather permitting). The Corcoran, capitalizing on this buzz, is offering a “Preview” program of the project tonight at 7 p.m. Michael S. Cullen, Christo historian and sometime project director, will speak about previous projects on which he worked with the artists, including “Wrapped Reichstag” (1991-95), “Surrounded Islands” (1983), “Pont Neuf Wrapped” (1985), and “Umbrellas” (1991), (for more info, check out the artists’ website). Cullen will discuss the similarities and differences between the several projects and answer questions from the audience. While this DCist is intrigued by the program, the $20 public fee ($15 for museum members) is pretty hefty. It seems to us that the $20 could better be used to fund a spontaneous roadtrip next weekend to see the project in person.

If that’s out of the realm of your possibilities but your interest is piqued, you can read about the project and the quirky artists in David Segal’s article from today’s Post.

If you do plan to go to New York to see “The Gates,” don’t be scammed by supposed admission tickets. As the artists clearly state on their website, the project is free to everyone. Don’t delay either: “The Gates” will only remain up for for 16 day before the 7,500 Gates will be dismantled and the materials recycled.

(A prepatory drawing of the project, courtesy of the artists’ website, is shown at right.)