One of the best ways to get to know a city is to get to know its art, culture, architecture and people. This week we'll start with "Cloud Gate" also lovingly referred to as "The Bean" (pictured to your right and above).
According to Wikipedia, Cloud Gate was designed by a British artist named Anish Kapoor, who won a design competition for art in Chicago's famous Millennium Park. Kapoor was apparently inspired by liquid mercury (I hope he didn't play with mercury...), and is supposed to evoke feelings and thoughts of the immaterial and spiritual. When you position yourself directly in the center of The Bean and look up, it's as if you are being lifted into the sky. Apparently, art critics have raved that this is a masterful piece that takes on a "disembodied, luminous form." How's that for cool art? I feel all spiritual and immaterial now. It worked!
Cloud Gate was completed in late August 2005, weighs in at a whopping 110 short tons and cost $23 million (don't worry, no public funds were used). It was finally unveiled for the public May 15, 2006, which Mayor Daley quickly declared "Cloud Gate Day." Do federal employees get that day off?
Hmm...are the two photos taken from the same perspective? I ask because the reflections in each match, but the backgrounds don't. Are you allowed to crawl on it?
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mention that, I noticed the same thing. I took the picture during the day, but got the night one off this thing called the internets.
ReplyDeleteNo crawling, unfortunately.