- Type: Landmarks
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NileGuide Expert Says:
No trip to Chicago is complete without a trip to Cloud Gate, or "The Bean" as locals call it. Soon after its unveiling in 2004, it was closed off in portions so that the rivets could be buffed out. Now it is a seamless sculpture, reminiscent of one giant fun-house mirror. When you're finished here, head over to the Crown Fountain in the spring and summer months to take in the walls of smiling faces.
NileGuide Expert tip:
The Bean is located near many of Chicago's main landmarks/attractions, including the Chicago Cultural Center's Visitor Center, making it a great place to start your Chicago sightseeing.
Description:
- This popular sculpture in Millennium Park has become a landmark of Chicago's cityscape. Ever since the public first glimpsed the then-unfinished structure in 2004, its unique appearance has drawn a great deal of both criticism and praise. Designed by British artist Anish Kapoor and forged from steel plates that have been polished to a mirror-like finish, Cloud Gate has been affectionately named "The Bean" by city residents because of its legume-like shape. At 66 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 33 feet high, this is one mighty bean, weighing in at 110 tons. The highly reflective surface and curved shape create an effect similar to that of a funhouse-mirror, distorting the shape of curious onlookers and making it a popular attraction for children of all ages. The sculpture often takes on a life of its own as its surface reflects Chicago's skyscrapers and the blue sky.
- © wcities.com 2012
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Ask a local about Cloud Gate
Locals have answered 65 questions about Chicago.
Ask Chicago Locals about Cloud Gate
- Details
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Contact:
- visit website
- tel: +1 312 742 1168
Address:
- 222 North Columbus Drive
- (AT&T Plaza, Millennium Park)
- Chicago, IL 60601
Neighborhood:
LoopStrenuousness:
- No Sweat
- User Rating
