But when the structure was still under construction, renderings of the design were released to the public. Have you seen it? While the piece’s official name is Cloud Gate, artist Anish Kapoor doesn’t title his works until after they’re completed. It weighs about 110 tons - roughly the same as 15 adult elephants. The Bean is 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long. The Bean’s steel exterior is attached to the inside frame with flexible connectors that let it expand and contract as the weather changes. This allows the sculptures massive weight to be directed to its two base points, creating the iconic “bean” shape and allowing for the large concave area beneath the structure. Indexical signs Indexical signs have a cause-and-effect relationship. The rings are connected via a truss framework, similar to what you might see on a bridge. Iconic signs icons are signs where meaning is based on similarity of appearance. Inside, it’s made of a network of two large metal rings. It was created using computer technology to precisely cut 168 massive steel plates, which were then fitted together and welded shut for a completely seamless finish. The exterior of The Bean is made entirely of stainless steel. Cloud Gate was his first permanent public outdoor work in the United States, and is widely considered his most famous.Įxplore more: Find more iconic public art in the Chicago Loop, from Picasso to Chagall. The Indian-born British sculptor was already well-known for his large-scale outdoor works, including several with highly reflective surfaces. It was designed by internationally acclaimed artist Anish Kapoor. The reflection of the sky above the park, not to mention the curved underside of The Bean serves as an entrance that visitors can walk under to enter the park, inspired the sculpture’s creator to name the piece Cloud Gate. The polished surface also invites visitors to touch the surface and observe their own reflection, giving it an interactive quality. This shiny exterior reflects the people moving around the park, the lights of Michigan Avenue, and the surrounding skyline and green space - perfectly encapsulating the Millennium Park experience. The Bean’s reflective surface was inspired by liquid mercury.
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