In 2004, sculptor Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” was unveiled in Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.. The initial mocking sobriquet of “The Electric Kidney Bean” was eventually lovingly shortened to “The Bean” and Chicago and its visitors embraced this marvel. 80% of it reflects the sky and twice a year it gets washed with 40 gallons of liquid Tide, the better to reflect both the city and its enthralled visitors.
When first spotted, the resemblance to a space ship is strong. On this warm, sunny spring day, it’s a stunning sight and up close, it’s even more intriguing.
The edge seems to flow seamlessly into the sky and the city takes on a whole new beautiful look as it bends and reflects.
With a little vintage riff, you get an old picture postcard look.
I had a good time taking photos of people taking family or group photos so they could all get in the shot. In return, someone offered to take one of me, doing my part to keep the Bean in place.
Under the Bean, though, things change from a distorted yet charming reflection of the city to a definite Escher-like look. But that’s a picture story for another time.
This, that and the other thing 
Lovely photos Janet. I am a fan of Anish Kapoor’s work and really want to see the bean one day. His ‘Dismemberment’ is here in Auckland, and very impressive.
I looked up a few of his other works online and they’re certainly impressive and different. What I love about the Bean are the reflections and then, underneath, the distortions.
janet
🙂 I totally get that. Work that has a mirror component has special appeal because it’s ever-changing I think.
what a treat to experience this work. i was in Chicago a number of times long before this work was there. clearly this would be high on the agenda if i ever make it back again. way fun. thank you.
Two great things about it, Rick, is that it’s easily accessible and it’s free. I hope you can see it in person one day soon, but in the meantime, I’m glad you could visit virtually. I’ll have some more photos soon.
janet
That is just amazing. The mind and skill to create it leaves me mesmerised.
Creating something of this sort requires a vision I don’t possess, to say nothing of skills I don’t have, either. But I can certainly enjoy it!
janet
Me too…
This is indeed very unique. A simple giant bean containing such vastness in it. Amazing!!
It’s as if the city lies within the bean, but in a form different from its reality.
janet
What a great piece of art work.
It truly is amazing. The view from underneath is completely different, too, as I’ll show in a later post.
janet
Love it! 🙂
It’s really impressive, Judy, that’s for sure. Interesting to think what it would be like in a mountainous area or other non-city place.
janet
I can see hours of fun taking photos here, Janet. The first photo definitely looks like a spaceship set down in the city and the next one is very onerous and intriguing.
Have you ever used the Matter app? It allows you to put abstract objects and effects like the Bean into photos.
I look forward to seeing more Bean photos in the future,
Ω
I downloaded the Matter app after seeing it on your site, Allan, but I’ve only used it once. It could be fun to use to place the Bean in other photos. The Bean makes selfies interesting, too.
janet
Please show us what you’ve got when you get it with Matter.
Ω
Wow! Another place to add to my bucket list!!!
Lots to see in downtown Chicago, Connie, and the Bean is free as well, always a plus as far as I’m concerned.
janet
We love driving holidays … & Chicago is on our radar!!! Can’t wait 😊
I’m a big, big fan of driving holidays as well. If you want to meet when you come to town, let me know. I love meeting blogging friends.
janet
Ooooo – that would be great but it won’t be this year I’m afraid. We already have thus years holiday booked. But will definitely keep this in mind. 💖
Whenever. Just putting it out there.
When I was last in Chicago, a friend took me on a long walking tour along the shoreline and through the park. I loved The Bean!
One of my favorite places downtown, although I haven’t spent much time there. This summer I hope to get down there more often and just explore.
janet
Great photos, love those distortions. Bean there a few years back!
The photos underneath are even more interesting. For a big city, Chicago is a lot of fun, less spread out then LA and more open than NYC. I like that I can get there by train and don’t have to drive, park, and pay a fortune for the privilege. 🙂
janet
Like a crystal ball for a giant…
Randy
Nice comparison, Randy. I’m just glad s/he wasn’t there trying to find the answer to a pressing question!
Happy weekend.
janet
That is on my list of things I’d like to see! Great photos!!
It’s really something worth seeing and there are lots more things in downtown Chicago. I’m glad I don’t live in the city, but I love being able to take the train down there if I want to. Glad you liked the photos..
janet
This is amazing!! 🙂
It really is. I think a person could spend quite a lot of time there, enjoying the reflections of different weather and so forth.
janet
Yes, I can imagine that. It is so fascinating.
How cool. Love it and your photos 🙂
Thanks very much, Ruth. It was an excellent day.
janet
It’s great to fool around with reflections, isn’t it? You certainly made the most of it.
Marga, I love reflections and this one turned out to be a lot of fun, although I don’t know that I thought it would look like this when I took the shot.
janet
I also catch myself capturing reflections many times, because I cannot get enough of them. This Bean was a nice surprise then, even later on when you looked at the pictures.
Marga, I thought I was replying to my shot of reflections on the train. Sorry. I did know how the Bean shots looked and I think you could take many shots there and enjoy them all.
I found this a fun piece of art to interact with. I like your photos of it a lot.
Thanks! I’m glad.
janet
I have seen the bean on another bloggers site and I have to say, each time it is mesmerizing. I think it’s perfect you helped to hold it in place. The clarity in the reflections are incredible. Much love to you and Bill and family. Hugs.
Love this post Janet! I love the bean. I can’t remember if I told you but I lived in Chicago before I got married and my husband and I got married there in Lincoln Park. That was 16 years ago. I still miss Chicago a lot.
I think you mentioned it and we’re still looking for a meet in Chicago at some point, right? 🙂 The Bean is so cool.
Someday Janet I will get back! We have so much family there and all our friends from college. It is harder now with the puppy though. I will keep you posted!
No rush. But if we’re still here, I’ll come to the city to say hi.
I love your photos. This is the kind of thing that could amuse me for quite a while!!
Thanks, Joanne. Playing with editing is so much fun and the Bean is very photogenic. More, but very different, Bean photos tomorrow.
janet
[…] Beaned in Chicago […]
AMAZING!!
The Bean is very cool!