Can you touch the Cloud Gate?

"You can touch it, but if you touch it with a wet surface, you'll be there awhile." The sculpture also will require some cleaning, but it's not known how often that will happen. "People are obviously going to put their hands on it," Uhlir said. "The grease from fingers will need to be wiped away."

What is inside the Cloud Gate?

The exterior of The Bean is made entirely of stainless steel. It was created using computer technology to precisely cut 168 massive steel plates, which were then fitted together and welded shut for a completely seamless finish. Inside, it's made of a network of two large metal rings.

Can I touch the Bean Chicago?

Yes, visitors are allowed to touch the Bean.

Is the Cloud Gate free?

Cloud Gate Entry Ticket

There are no entrance fees or Cloud Gate tickets required to visit the Cloud Gate.

Who cleans the Cloud Gate?

It's actually just a team of two specially trained cleaning crew members who keep the Bean clean. As long as it's above freezing, the park staff brings out the hose and squeegees, according to Stewart. They'll "spray it down with some water to get everything moving off of the surface and then...

I caught a cloud on my paraglider ... and took it home!

How often is Cloud Gate cleaned?

The sculpture gets a deep cleaning and is washed with 150 liters of liquid detergent twice a year. On a daily basis, city workers give it a good power hose and wipe down.

Can you go inside the Chicago bean?

It is really neat when there arent many people. it is a fixture of chicago, though, so there will always be lots of people.

Is Cloud Gate open to public?

Skating is free and open to the public. Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”, one of Chicago's most popular sights, is in this park. It is 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long. It weighs about 110 tons.

Do you have to pay to see the Bean in Chicago?

Cloud Gate, aptly nicknamed 'The Bean' due to its peculiar shape, is one of Chicago's most visited attractions and has quickly become a national icon. It is also completely free to visit so make sure to stop by when visiting Chicago.

Why is it called the Cloud Gate?

' Kapoor named this colossal sculpture 'Cloud Gate' for a simple reason — 80 percent of its surface reflects the sky. Despite having Cloud Gate as its official name, however, Chicagoans have affectionately nicknamed the sculpture 'The Bean.

Why is it called the loop?

The Loop is so named because the elevated tracks loop around a rectangle formed by Lake Street (north side), Wabash Avenue (east), Van Buren Street (south), and Wells Street (west). The railway loop has given its name to Chicago's downtown, which is also known as the Loop.

Is the Bean solid or hollow?

The interior of the Bean is largely wooden

At one point during construction, there was also an architect's desk and workspace set up in there (not bad for an office, eh?). The exterior has been welded shut and polished to be seamless, and terms state that the 168-piece structure remain standing until 3006.

Why was Cloud Gate created?

Cloud Gate was built as an interactive sculpture where visitors can touch, observe their reflections, and walk through the art. In fact, the Bean's maintenance crew come to wipe down the fingerprints on the bottom sections up to seven times a day.

Why is the Cloud Gate famous?

The sculpture, by British artist Sir Anish Kapoor, was unveiled at the opening of Millennium Park in 2004. It now serves as a famous symbol of the city and is one of Chicago's most photographed attractions. The Bean is one of the best ways to capture Chicago's beautiful skyline while still being in the photo.

How big is the Cloud Gate?

Inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture is among the largest of its kind in the world, measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high. Cloud Gate sits upon the AT&T Plaza, which was made possible by a gift from AT&T.

Why does Chicago have a bean?

About 80 percent of the Cloud Gate sculpture surface reflects the sky and bends the reflection down into a gate shape. The sculpture's underside concave chamber prompted the sculptor to name the piece Cloud Gate. Cloud Gate or the Bean is a public sculpture shaped like a bean, made by the artist Sir Anish Kapoor.

How long did it take to build Cloud Gate?

Creation of Cloud Gate lasted two years, spanning 2003 and 2004. The final steel shape reached 66 feet in length, 42 feet at its widest point, and rose as high as 33 feet. Its total cost—well above initial estimates—reached $23 million, with an array of donors picking up the difference.

Can u touch The Bean?

"You can touch it, but if you touch it with a wet surface, you'll be there awhile." The sculpture also will require some cleaning, but it's not known how often that will happen.

Where do you park for Cloud Gate?

Is Millenium park Safe?

Millennium Park is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to the iconic Bean sculpture and other attractions. What is this? It is safe to visit during the day or night, and there are plenty of great food options nearby, making it one of the safest places to visit in Chicago.

Is Chicago downtown safe?

Overall, downtown Chicago is safe, especially during the day. Because it has some of the more populated streets in Chicago, some crime is inevitable (mostly pickpocketing).

Is the Cloud Gate a landmark?

Cloud Gate, affectionately called "The Bean," is one of Chicago's most iconic landmarks and public art pieces. Cloud Gate, also known as "The Bean," is British artist Anish Kapoor's first public outdoor work installed in the United States.