9. The Gates, Christo and Jeanne-Claude (2005)

From February 12 to February 28, 2005, artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s temporary piece, The Gates, was on display along the pathways of Central Park. The series of 7,503 gates with free-hanging saffron colored fabric panels stretched for 23 miles.

The piece was described as “a golden river appearing and disappearing through the bare branches of the trees.”

Christo and Jeanne-Claude are known for their temporary works of art to “endow the works of art with a feeling of urgency to be seen,” and like their previous works, the entire project was financed by the artist themselves, refusing to accept sponsorship or donations.