Why is the bean a thing?

What does The Bean mean? The Bean's reflective surface was inspired by liquid mercury. This shiny exterior reflects the people moving around the park, the lights of Michigan Avenue, and the surrounding skyline and green space — perfectly encapsulating the Millennium Park experience.

Why is the bean so important?

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.

What does the big bean represent?

What does the Bean mean? Sir Anish Kapoor described liquid mercury as his inspiration for Cloud Gate. He sought to create a form that captured the movement in the surrounding park and the city beyond. The Bean's highly reflective surface, much like liquid mercury, appears ready to slosh about.

What is the story of the bean?

Through the "story of the bean, " in which an Indigenous student teacher reconceptualizes a science lesson from a more holistic perspective, the authors illustrate the wealth of understanding and insight that Indigenous teachers bring to the education of Indigenous students, and they depict the possibilities for pre- ...

Why is the Bean in Chicago Important?

Cloud Gate, commonly known as the Bean, is one of the most popular photographed attractions in the city for locals and tourists who visit Chicago to see its iconic sights. It reflects the city's beautiful skyline and is arguably the best spot for a picture in Millennium Park.

What's going on with Mr. Bean on YouTube?

How does the Bean stay clean?

How do they clean the Chicago Bean? 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.

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.

How was the Bean built?

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. The rings are connected via a truss framework, similar to what you might see on a bridge.

What is the meaning of bean shaped?

Definitions of bean-shaped. adjective. having a shape resembling a bean. Synonyms: rounded. curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged.

What is Chicago known for?

Some of the many things Chicago is famous for are: Chicago-style hot dogs, Chicago-style (deep dish) pizza, Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, jazz music, and 1920s gangsters, for example Al Capone. Chicago is also known for architecture, for example the Sears Tower and museums. It is also known for its loyal sports fans.

Is it free to visit 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.

Are dogs allowed at the Bean in Chicago?

Dogs may not be allowed in Chicago's Millennium Park, but there's no rule against them posing on the perimeter. Here, Pepper, a toy poodle, sits on a wall at the edge of the park's McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. That's the sculpture Cloud Gate, better known as "the Bean," in the background.

Can you touch the Cloud Gate?

Its polished surface, which makes the sculpture appear seamless, also invites visitors to touch the surface, which can be dangerous during the current pandemic. Additionally, visitors to Cloud Gate can observe their own reflection and the reflection of Chicago's skyline, giving it an interactive quality.

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...

How was Cloud Gate made?

Cloud Gate was created by using computer technology to cut 168 massive stainless-steel plates into precise shapes which were then pieced together like a puzzle and welded shut.

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.

How much is the Bean in Chicago Worth?

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.

How long did it take to build the Bean?

DNAinfo found a treasure trove of photos in the Chicago Public Library's digital collection that show Anish Kapoor masterpiece from start to finish. It shows the long, arduous and expensive process to make a computer simulation in 1999 turn into a seamless stainless steel civic treasure in the span of six years.

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.

What's inside the Chicago Bean?

The interior of the Bean is largely wooden

The exterior has been welded shut and polished to be seamless, and terms state that the 168-piece structure remain standing until 3006. Whatever junk is left behind inside will just have to serve as a time capsule for our alien overlords.

Why is the Cloud Gate famous?

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.