Why is there a big bean in Chicago?
Why was the Bean in Chicago built? The Bean is one of the best ways to capture Chicago’s beautiful skyline while still being in the photo . Designed by the London-based artist Anish Kapoor, the work was selected out of two proposals that were submitted in 1999 for a “showpiece” sculpture that would sit in Millennium Park.
What is the Bean in Chicago called?
The official name of this distinctly Chicago sculpture is Cloud Gate, but Chicagoans refer to it as the bean — or da bean if you really want to nail the Chicago accent. If you’ve seen the Millennium Park staple — and most people have, since it’s a visitor photo op must — you can easily tell why we use this lingo for the sculpture.
What is the history of the Bean in Chicago?
It is a large sculpture that is located out in the open for the public to enjoy. First unveiled during the opening of Millennium Park in the year 2004. Ever since then, the Bean has been a symbol of Chicago. Interestingly enough, it is also the most photographed attractions out of all the touristic spots.
Can you visit the Bean in Chicago?
This is a must see while in Chicago!! Really!! It may be officially called Cloud Gate but it is known as THE BEAN. You will know why when you see it😊. It is located in the middle of Millennium Park and is usually surrounded by lots of people. It is a very cool sculpture. It looks so neat and is very large.
What Does The Bean in Chicago Mean?
What does The Bean in Chicago mean? Formally known as Cloud Gate, Chicago’s Bean is a mercury-inspired structural wonder of engineering, resulting from the artistic vision of Anish Kapoor in collaboration with a design and construction firm.
Where is the Bean in Chicago?
Where is The Bean in Chicago? The Bean’s Chicago address is technically located in Millenium Park on the AT&T Plaza, which places it exactly halfway between Washington St. and Madison St. It’s located just south of the Millenium Station Metra stop, and due east of the Washington and Wabash L stop. If you’re in the neighborhood, you won’t want to miss this iconic Chicago attraction!
What is the Bean sculpture in Chicago?
For many, the stainless steel Cloud Gate sculpture is a work of art, but for tourists, it’s the best opportunity for a selfie. The public artwork – also known as “the Bean” – has become a must-see item on any Chicago itinerary. The sculpture, by British artist Sir Anish Kapoor, was unveiled at the opening of Millennium Park in 2004.
Who designed the Bean sculpture?
The Bean is one of the best ways to capture Chicago’s beautiful skyline while still being in the photo. Designed by the London -based artist Anish Kapoor, the work was selected out of two proposals that were submitted in 1999 for a “showpiece” sculpture that would sit in Millennium Park.
What is the Bean Chicago?
The bean Chicago is one of the most notable architectural marvels. The Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as ‘the Bean,’ is one of the top things to see in Chicago. It now serves as a famous symbol of Chicago and is one of the city’s most photographed attractions. We will walk you through the 10 facts about this place so that you can climb up to ...
What is the inspiration for the bean Chicago?
The inspiration for the bean Chicago that he envisioned has been derived from the texture of mercury, and the surface is made in such a way to reflect light.
How large is the Bean?
Cloud Gate officially measures in at 66 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 33 feet high. It weighs approximately 110 tons, or about the same as a Boeing 757 airliner. That's one big bean!
What does the Bean mean?
Sir Anish Kapoor described liquid mercury as his inspiration for Cloud Gate. He sought to create a form that captured the movement in the surrounding park and the city beyond. The Bean's highly reflective surface, much like liquid mercury, appears ready to slosh about.
How to take a selfie at the Bean?
Consider positioning yourself on the west side of the sculpture looking towards Michigan Avenue or on the north side towards East Randolph Street. From these locations, you can capture some of the surrounding high-rise buildings including the Aon Center and the Chicago Cultural Center. Another option is to try to capture a selfie from the omphalos on the underside ; however, the distortions in the reflections from this perspective may not make for ideal photographic compositions. You are also likely to encounter many other people trying to do the same thing, meaning you’ll have to jostle for space. One additional recommendation is to visit the park in the early morning hours when the sunrise off Lake Michigan provides beautiful lighting.
What materials were used to make the Bean Chicago?
When the bean Chicago was initially in the design phase, there were several concerns as to what materials should be used to build the bean Chicago. The idea of using stainless steel was thought to be a bad idea because of the heat-absorbing properties of the same. The idea of getting it heated throughout the day, and getting it cooled throughout the night could have been devastating. So, the plan was made to get the inspiration from the old ships which were made of wood. The wooden framework would provide the necessary support when the outer support would shrink and expand. There was even an office inside the bean Chicago when it was in the construction phase. Bean Chicago’s outer surface was polished later to give the seamless finish of the bean Chicago which you can see today. There was also a statement by the team executing the project that the 168 odd pieces of the bean Chicago would stand strong till 3006, which is a millennium more years from today. The remains inside will surely be a time capsule for the future generation to explore.
What was the name of the Chicago White Stockings baseball ground?
What would eventually become Millennium Park was once the famed Union Baseball Grounds, home to the Chicago White Stockings until it was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871. Having existed variously as a park, a rail yard, and a parking lot in the many decades that followed, the area was in need of a makeover when city planners decided to build a great urban park to celebrate the coming of the third millennium. Despite significant construction delays and massive cost overruns, Millennium Park eventually opened to the public in 2004. In overcoming these challenges, city planners managed to construct a widely praised public greenspace that would go on to earn a place in many a Chicago resident's heart.
What is the Bean in Chicago?
The Chicago Bean is one of the major attractions in the city. Cloud Gate, commonly known as the Bean, is one of the most popular photographed attractions in the city for locals and tourists who visit Chicago to see its iconic sights.
How much did the Chicago Bean cost?
Originally, it was expected that the Chicago Bean would cost $6 million. However, its cost exceeded the original estimates, going up to $23 million. Many donors picked up this difference along the way, giving Chicagoans a new symbol for the city.
Why Is It Called the Bean?
The official name of this sculpture is Cloud Gate, but the locals and tourists call it the Bean. The Park opened in 2004, and people started visiting the area while the Bean was still under construction.
What is the bean in Millennium Park?
The Bean is made of 168 stainless steel plates that have been welded together. Millennium Park’s centerpiece was unveiled in 2004, during the Park’s opening. The exterior is highly polished and is entirely seamless, which is part of the reason it reflects its surroundings so well.
What is the Bean's reflective surface?
The Bean’s mirrored surface is 100% reflective, which means that it reflects the surroundings of downtown Chicago.
How many rings does a bean have?
On the inside, the Bean has two metal rings that form a grid-like network, stabilizing the structure’s shape. The exterior structure is attached to the interior grid through flexible connectors that let the Bean contract and expand as the weather and temperatures change.
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The sculpture is shaped like a kidney bean, hence the name Bean, and was inspired by of all things, liquid mercury. Despite having 168 steel panels welded together, the Bean has no visible seams and is highly reflective due to an intense polishing process, which makes it a magnet for every selfie enthusiast that visits Chicago.
How The Bean Looks At Night
The Beans reflective surfaces of the surrounding skyline at Millennium Park are in full blow even at night. So, you can experience the citys energy along with the Michigan Avenue skyline in the sculpture. But if you want to take pictures, come in the evening as the light is perfect during that time.
The Chicago Bean Explained
First off, where is the Chicago Bean located? It can be found in the heart of Chicago. Specifically, you can find it in Millennium Park, a lakefront park in the Loop or downtown Chicago. The Chicago Bean is 33 feet high, 43 feet wide, and 66 feet long. It also weighs a massive 110 tons.
Can You Go Inside The Chicago Bean
As exciting as that prospect sounds, you cannot go inside the large-scale outdoor works. The sculpture is seamless as the steel plates have been welded into place. So, there is no way for you to go inside it.
How To Reserve Your Spot
To find cheap parking near the Bean, select your preferred days and times at the top of this page. After that, click apply to view the available options. To see details on each facility, you can scroll through the list on the left or click on a pin from the map.
What Does The Chicago Bean Represent
The Chicago Bean is in the downtown Loop community area, situated in Millennium Park as a famous symbol among the citys incredible skyline. The reflective surface of the sculpture was inspired by liquid mercury.
The Cloud Gate Bean As A Public Art Piece
Since the opening of Millennium Park behind the Park Grill Restaurant above McCormick Tribune Plaza, the area has been criticized as being an elitist place. It is frequented by people who are wealthier than the average Chicagoan.
What is the Chicago Bean?
The final product, a gleaming steel mirror that bends the Chicago sky and skyline around its surface, had a long path to fruition, from selection to development. This is the inside story on Chicago Bean history.
When was the Chicago Bean unveiled?
The Bean Is Unveiled. The first, but not final, unveiling of the Chicago Bean occurred in July 2004 at the official opening of Millennium Park. However, not all seams had been yet been fully welded and polished.
When did the Bean get its final polish?
Still, the omphalos—the steel “navel” underneath Cloud Gate —didn’t receive its final polish until October, when the Bean attained its final form.
