Anish Kapoor, “Cloud Gate”. Stainless Steel, Millennium Park, Chicago
Anish Kapoor’s sculpture “Cloud Gate” was constructed between the 2004 and 2006, consisting of 168 stainless steel plates which were welded together. It is popularly known as “The Bean”, the design was inspired by the look and properties of liquid mercury; the sculptures surface reflects Chicago’s skyline.
The exterior is highly polished with no visible seams. On the underside where visitors are able to walk around is the ‘omphalos’, or nave, that warps and muliplies reflections. The volume is approximately 42 feet x 66 feet x 33 feet having a pronounced weight of 98 long tons. The volume approximately is 42 feet x 66 feet x 33 feet having a pronounced weight of 98 long tons.