Cloud Gate
A reflective stainless steel sculpture nicknamed 'The Bean' in Chicago.
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Cloud Gate is a public sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor, serving as the centerpiece of Grainger Plaza at Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, it is nicknamed 'The Bean' for its shape and is composed of 168 stainless steel plates welded together with no visible seams. The sculpture reflects and distorts the city's skyline and clouds, and its concave underside, called the omphalos, warps and multiplies reflections. It has become a popular tourist attraction and a defining work of public art in the United States.
Background
Cloud Gate was selected through a design competition in 1999, beating a proposal by Jeff Koons for a 150-foot playground slide. Kapoor's design was inspired by liquid mercury, and its seamless exterior required extensive computer modeling and consultation with experts, some of whom believed the design could not be implemented. The sculpture was originally envisioned for the Lurie Garden but was relocated to Grainger Plaza over Kapoor's objections. Construction fell behind schedule, and the sculpture was unveiled in incomplete form during the Millennium Park grand opening in 2004, then concealed again until its formal dedication on May 15, 2006.
Did You Know?
- The sculpture's nickname 'The Bean' was described by Kapoor as 'completely stupid', though he later accepted it.
- The sculpture was originally estimated to weigh 60 short tons but ended up weighing 110 short tons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cloud Gate and who created it?
Cloud Gate is a large public sculpture designed by British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor. It was installed as the centerpiece of Grainger Plaza at Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois, and was completed in 2006 after construction began in 2004.
What is Cloud Gate made of and how big is it?
The sculpture is built from 168 stainless steel plates welded together so seamlessly that no joints are visible to the eye. It measures roughly 33 by 66 by 42 feet and weighs about 110 short tons.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Cloud Gate (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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