Ian Bronson
In 2006, Chicago spent $23 million on a giant, shiny sculpture that had yet to be completed. Critics called it a gamble, but Cloud Gate—or “The Bean,” as locals insist on calling it, has cemented itself as a symbol of Chicago’s gutsy brilliance.
It All Started with a Wild Idea
Can you imagine a massive, mirror-like sculpture in the heart of Chicago? With no seams, just smooth perfection. That’s what artist Anish Kapoor envisioned. Many doubted they could even build it, but Chicago leaned in. Why? Because this city thrives on impossible dreams.
It Reflects More Than Just the Skyline
Step up to The Bean, and you’ll see the city flipped, stretched, and twisted into surreal shapes. It’s more than a mirror—it’s a challenge to view the familiar in unexpected ways. Stand under its arch, and suddenly, the world feels infinite.
Engineers Nearly Lost Their Minds Building It
No one had ever attempted anything like Cloud Gate before. How do you weld 168 steel plates into a seamless, reflective surface without looking patchy? Answer: months of innovative engineering, sleepless nights, and a lot of swearing at stubborn welds.
Its Shine Didn’t Come Easy
Here’s a fun fact: Cloud Gate wasn’t shiny at first. Its construction team spent months grinding and polishing its surface in stages, eliminating every blemish. The result is a reflection so perfect you could spot a smudge from across the park.
It Accidentally Became Chicago’s Selfie Capital
When Kapoor designed Cloud Gate, he probably didn’t anticipate millions of selfies. Today, it’s one of the most Instagrammed spots in the world, with tourists flocking for their distorted skyline shots. You’re never just a face in the crowd here—you’re art.
It’s Cooler—Literally—Than It Looks
On a summer day, you’ll notice The Bean stays surprisingly cool to the touch. Its stainless steel reflects heat instead of absorbing it, making it the perfect spot to chill out. Art that keeps you cool? Kapoor thought of everything.
Chicago Didn’t Build It—California Did
The irony is that approximately one-third of the plates, as well as the entire internal framework, were constructed in Oakland, California, shipped cross-country in pieces, and assembled here like an enormous, shiny jigsaw puzzle. The real magic happened after it arrived.
Why It’s Called Cloud Gate
It’s not supposed to be a bean. Kapoor named it Cloud Gate because of the way it frames the sky, creating a portal-like reflection above. But let’s be honest: it’s been “The Bean” from day one, and no one’s looking back.
Maintenance is an art in its own right
Think The Bean just sits there looking shiny? Not quite. It’s cleaned daily to keep its mirror finish, and workers remove graffiti and scratches like clockwork. Winter ice is its only weakness—crews race to protect it whenever temperatures plummet.
Kapoor Fights for The Bean’s Image Rights
Taking a photo is fine, but using it commercially? That’s a big no-no. Kapoor is fiercely protective of Cloud Gate’s image. Lawsuits have even been filed against companies using Bean pics in ads. Art’s not just beautiful; it’s serious business.
