how did the gates by christo and jeanne-claude affect the site? the gates, site-specific work of art with a panel of deep saffron-colored nylon fabric hung from each of the numerous vinyl gates along the pathways in central park in new york city, by christo and jeanne-claude responses the traffic along nearby roads was blocked for days to protect the artwork from people and cars. the traffic along nearby roads was blocked for days to protect the artwork from people and cars. the experience of the park with the gates was so different that some people saw the park in a new way. the experience of the park with the gates was so different that some people saw the park in a new way. the permanent installation at the site remains a source of controversy among new yorkers. the permanent installation at the site remains a source of controversy among new yorkers. the landscape was permanently altered from the graffiti left in the wake of the project.