Cloud Gate
A reflective stainless steel sculpture nicknamed 'The Bean' in Chicago.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
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.
- artist
- Anish Kapoor
- location
- Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- completed
- 2006
- material
- Stainless steel
- dimensions
- 33 by 66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m)
- weight
- 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons)
- nickname
- The Bean
Lore & 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.
Reader's Guide
Cloud Gate is significant as Kapoor's first public outdoor work in the United States and the work by which he is best known in the country. It builds upon many of Kapoor's artistic themes and has gained considerable popularity both domestically and internationally. The sculpture's reflective and distorting surface, along with the omphalos chamber, create unique visual experiences for visitors. Its construction involved overcoming numerous technological challenges, including weight concerns that required reinforcing the supporting structures. The sculpture sits above Millennium Hall, between the Chase Promenade and McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink, and has become a major photo-taking opportunity for tourists.
Did You Know?
- Cloud Gate is made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together with no visible seams.
- The sculpture's nickname 'The Bean' was described by Kapoor as 'completely stupid', though he later accepted it.
- The omphalos, a concave chamber on the underside, warps and multiplies reflections.
- 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.
Why do people call Cloud Gate 'The Bean'?
The nickname comes from the sculpture's smooth, rounded, kidney-shaped form, which resembles a large bean. The moniker stuck with visitors and locals and is now the most common informal name for the piece.
What makes the underside of Cloud Gate special?
The concave interior is called the omphalos, and it acts like a fisheye lens that warps, stretches, and multiplies the reflections of the surrounding city and sky. Standing directly beneath it gives a disorienting, kaleidoscopic view unlike the flat outer surface.
Why is Cloud Gate considered important in the world of public art?
It has become one of the most recognized and photographed landmarks in the United States, drawing millions of visitors to Chicago each year. As a defining example of contemporary public sculpture, it transformed an open plaza into an interactive space where the city itself becomes part of the artwork.
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