As we all know Spring just started, I visited the Big Bean in Chicago (over spring break) and I was just wondering where its artistic inspiration came from!
Chicago, also known as the windy city, the second city, the city of big shoulders is known for its architecture, culture, food and sports fans. If you plan on visiting the United States, Chicago must be on your list. The heart of the city lies in a rather recent structure which has gained popularity over the years- The Big Bean.
The big bean was a project done by Anish Kapoor, an Indian born, British sculptor who unveiled it in 2004 and was officially completed in 2006(doesn’t sound recent though). The bean proudly stands in the front lawn of downtown Chicago which is commonly known as the Millennium park. At the height of 33 feet(10 meters) and a width of 66 feet(20 meters), the impressive piece of art weighs about 110 tons which is about 110,000 kilograms! Wow that’s heavy!!!
Anish Kapoor’s idea began with a single drop of mercury. He wanted to make a piece resembling this idea while having it reflect the tall skyscrapers behind it with its shiny surface. He used 168 stainless steel plates to give it the curved look. The bean appears to be seamless due to the polishing it received.
The official name for the landmark is not in fact the bean but — Cloud gate. Locals started calling it the Big Bean due to its bean like structure hence giving a name which stuck. Many official reports, newsletters, Tv programs tend to refer it to as “The Big Bean”
It is also Chicago’s most instagrammed spot with thousands for tourists taking pictures with it everyday. The Big Bean is also featured in many movies like the Break-Up (2006), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), and Source Code (2011).
Cloud Gate was supposed to be much smaller than it is but Anish aspired to do MORE. The landmark continues to be a symbol of creativity with millions of visitors daily to admire a true piece of art. I recommend visiting it someday!
Top comments (0)