The anti-Christo

From Sommerville, Mass., comes an answer to New York City's overhyped "Gates," which Keith Olbermann said looked like someone hung their laundry out in Central Park.

The Sommerville Gates, however, does not invade the public's space, yet still managed to catch the attention of The New York Times.

As a result, Jeff Hargadon now wants to be known simply by the single-name "Hargo" (like Gates genius creator "Christo"). Hargo and his wife decided to build The Sommerville Gates while watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on TV. They own a cat not a dog. There's no explanation. But the cat's apparently important to their minimalist artistic vision.

They took pictures, posted them on a Web site and sent the link to 30 friends by e-mail. Within 24 hours, the site had 99,000 hits.

"The Somerville Gates" has now become, Mr. Hargadon said, "the anti-Christo."

The project, composed of 16 individual saffron-colored gates that are 3.5-inches-high, are moved from room to room in the couple's house, following the path of Edie, the cat.

On the Web site, the installation begins with the Door Gates, then moves on to the Poopatorium Gates, the Fridge Gates, the Table Gates, the Feeding Gates, the Tub Gates, the Fluffy Rug Gates, the Desk Gates, the Media Gates and finally the Stairway Gates.

The cat, Edie, is featured in the various pictures of The Sommerville Gates. She seems to approve, as much as a cat can express approval.

No word yet whether Christo will file a copyright infringement lawsuit, but I'll bet he's not amused.
[nyt]
[The Sommerville Gates]