What is the story of the Chicago Bean?
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. At first, many Chicagoans were extremely critical of this piece of metal – especially since the structure was under construction during the inauguration of the park in 2004.
Where is the bean located in Chicago?
The Cloud Gate aka the 'Bean'. 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601. (312) 742-1168. Claim this business.
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 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 story behind the Bean in Chicago?
According to a Chicago Tribune article from 2011, the city's mayor was at his dentist appointment when he realized that the train department across the office was an eyesore. So, he decided that there should be a park here to beautify the area. That's how Millennium Park came into being along with the Bean.
What is inside the bean in Chicago?
The interior of the Bean is largely wooden The exterior has been welded shut and polished to be seamless, and terms state that the 168-piece structure remain standing until 3006. Whatever junk is left behind inside will just have to serve as a time capsule for our alien overlords.
Why is the Chicago bean so important?
The sculpture, by British artist Sir Anish Kapoor, was unveiled at the opening of Millennium Park in 2004. It now serves as a famous symbol of the city and is one of Chicago's most photographed attractions. The Bean is one of the best ways to capture Chicago's beautiful skyline while still being in the photo.
Why was the bean built?
The Bean was constructed in Millennium Park between 2004 and 2006 as part of a design competition. During the first eight months of construction, it was hidden under a tent for metalworkers to polish the entire sculpture perfectly before its big reveal.
What does a bean symbolize?
Once planted, beans can represent resurrection and reincarnation since they grow spiritually upwards. Beans are also phallic, especially when they are green and can symbolize male sex organs, and can connote immortality.
Can you touch The Bean in Chicago?
Can you touch the Bean? Yes, visitors are allowed to touch the Bean. Just try not to leave too many fingerprints and ruin the experience for others.
Why is downtown Chicago called the loop?
the Loop, 35-block area of downtown Chicago, Illinois, U.S. The name probably derives from a cable-car line that circled the city's central business district in the 1880s, though the term's use became most common following the completion in 1897 of the Chicago Union Elevated Railway (the “El”), which forms a loop ...
What is The Bean in Chicago actually called?
Cloud GateAffectionately called “The Bean,” Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate has become synonymous with the Chicago experience. Cloud Gate was created by using computer technology to cut 168 massive stainless-steel plates into precise shapes which were then pieced together like a puzzle and welded shut.
Why is it called Cloud Gate?
' Kapoor named this colossal sculpture 'Cloud Gate' for a simple reason — 80 percent of its surface reflects the sky. Despite having Cloud Gate as its official name, however, Chicagoans have affectionately nicknamed the sculpture 'The Bean.
What did happen with The Bean?
Finally Straw came upon a good idea. He would lay himself over the water, and the others would walk across him, first Coal and then Bean. Coal walked ahead, and Bean came tripping after. But when Coal reached the middle of the straw, it caught fire and burned through.
How long did it take to build The Bean?
DNAinfo found a treasure trove of photos in the Chicago Public Library's digital collection that show Anish Kapoor masterpiece from start to finish. It shows the long, arduous and expensive process to make a computer simulation in 1999 turn into a seamless stainless steel civic treasure in the span of six years.
What is Chicago known for?
Some of the many things Chicago is famous for are: Chicago-style hot dogs, Chicago-style (deep dish) pizza, Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, jazz music, and 1920s gangsters, for example Al Capone. Chicago is also known for architecture, for example the Sears Tower and museums. It is also known for its loyal sports fans.
What did happen with The Bean?
Finally Straw came upon a good idea. He would lay himself over the water, and the others would walk across him, first Coal and then Bean. Coal walked ahead, and Bean came tripping after. But when Coal reached the middle of the straw, it caught fire and burned through.
How heavy is The Bean in Chicago?
It measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons). Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Kapoor's design was inspired by liquid mercury and the sculpture's surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline.
Why is downtown Chicago called the loop?
the Loop, 35-block area of downtown Chicago, Illinois, U.S. The name probably derives from a cable-car line that circled the city's central business district in the 1880s, though the term's use became most common following the completion in 1897 of the Chicago Union Elevated Railway (the “El”), which forms a loop ...
Is Chicago Riverwalk free?
Free to the public | Hours 6 am - 11 pm The 1.25-mile long path has been constructed in phases over time and includes four distinct districts; The Confluence, The Arcade, The Civic, and the Esplanade.
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.
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.
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.
What was the first of Kapoor's work installed in the United States and paid by private donors?
The Cloud Gate was the first of Kapoor’s work installed in the United States and paid by private donors.
What is the Bean in Chicago?
Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”, is one of Chicago’s most popular sights. The monumental work of art anchors the city’s downtown park, reflecting the city’s famous skyline and the surrounding green space. Here’s everything you need to know about The Bean, including where it came from and where to see it.
Where is The Bean?
The Bean is located in Millennium Park, the lakefront park in Chicago’s downtown Loop. It sits above the McCormick Tribune Plaza, directly behind the Park Grill Restaurant at 11 N. Michigan Ave. If you’re walking on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe, you really can’t miss it.
What is the exterior of the bean made of?
The exterior of The Bean is made entirely of stainless steel. 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. Inside, it’s made of a network of two large metal rings.
What is the reflective surface of the Bean?
The Bean’s reflective surface was inspired by liquid mercury. 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 polished surface also invites visitors to touch the surface and observe their own reflection, giving it an interactive quality.
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.
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 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.
Read More: 7 Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day in Bergen
Now the official name of the sculpture is not ‘the Bean,’ but Chicagoans nick-named it almost instantly ‘the Bean.’ If you ever see the statue up close, then you will know why it is shaped in such a way that the nick-name is understandable.
Read More: Find Out Why Currywurst Is So Popular In Germany
If you use apps such as Snapchat and other comical apps like that, then you can find endless geotags for ‘the Bean.’ For some reason, people have an intense urge to touch the silvery surface. Although that leaves the city with the chore of cleaning it twice a day, that is done early morning and late at night.
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 ...
Who designed the bean Chicago?
Atelier One, a British engineering firm along with a freelance engineer Chris Hornzee, was involved in the structural design of the sculpture. Polyurethane, a high-density foam was used in the construction of the final structure of the bean Chicago and the interior as well.
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.
