History has shown us centuries of architecture and art. Traditionally, master artisans have been considered those who create representations of life in paint, sculpture, music and dance. Brilliant architects have created monuments to religious icon, great leaders and groundbreaking ideas, and all are considered works of true art. Art, however, does not simply limit itself to delicate decoration. There exist many structures, such as walls and gates, which are works of art in their own right. While these walls may not be as ornate or intellectual as the works we generally consider "fine art", their lasting power and their ability to inspire legend give them a value far beyond that of a mere barrier.
One such construction would be the legendary Gates of Alexander. According to the Alexander Romance, this wall was built during the reign of Alexander the Great to protect the inhabitants of the Caucuses area from the "heathen" nations of Gog and Magog to the north. Supposedly, this wall stretched over forty kilometers from the sea to the mountains, making passage along the mountain passes impossible for invaders. In truth, this may be more legend than fact, as little archeological proof of its existence has been found. The basis for the legend has been connected with the Caspian Gates in Russia, as well as the Pass of Dariel - both imposing barriers.
In more contemporary times, we have the famous Downing Street Gates. For two centuries Downing Street in London, England has served to house some of the most prominent figures is British government, including the home of the Prime Minister. The original gates were erected at the end of the street in St. James Park as part of the commemoration of the Cenotaph (a monument honoring the lives of British soldiers lost during WWI) in 1920. Several incarnations of the wall and gates were erected and dismantled over the span of the 20th century, until 1989, when increased violence (primarily that of the IRA) led to the installation of signature imposing wrought iron gates that are still standing today.
Concerns regarding terrorism and violence against national leaders also led to the construction of the wrought iron fence surrounding the White House compound in the United States. The White House embraced an open-door policy to the public for decades, allowing public access to the surrounding area, and even guided tours of the famous residence. As security concerns increased in the latter half of the century, the famous wrought iron enclosure was expanded to include the grounds around the White House, as well as the surrounding streets - limiting the flow of unknown traffic around the Presidential Manor.
The artistry inherent in the fences, walls and gates lies not their ornamental value, but in their symbolic value. While the barriers surrounding Downing Street and the US White House are the product of turbulent times, they have been fixtures of the landscape they are intended to protect. The great Gates of Alexander may be a fictionalized version of less heroic structures, the legend surrounding their construction and purpose gives them value beyond that of a mere stone wall.