Welcome to Cloud GateCloud Gate is a public shiny kidney bean-shaped sculpture by Indian-born British artist Sir Anish Kapoor, that is the centerpiece of AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. The sculpture and AT&T Plaza are located on top of Park Grill, between the Chase Promenade and McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture is nicknamed "the Bean" because of its bean shape, a name Kapoor initially disliked, but later grew fond of. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior is smooth and has no visible seams. It measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons). Kapoor's design was inspired by the liquid form of mercury and the sculpture's surface distorts the reflection of Chicago's skyline. Visitors are able to walk around and under Cloud Gate's 12-foot (3.7 m) high arch, and touch the sculpture. The underside is called "omphalos" (Greek for "navel"), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections. The sculpture builds upon many of Kapoor's artistic themes, and it is popular with tourists as a photo-taking opportunity for its unique reflective properties. The sculpture was the result of a design competition. After Kapoor's design was chosen, numerous technological concerns regarding the design's construction and assembly arose, in addition to concerns regarding the sculpture's upkeep and maintenance. Various experts were consulted, some of whom believed the design could not be implemented. A feasible method of construction was found, but the sculpture's construction fell behind schedule. It was unveiled in an incomplete form during the Millennium Park grand opening celebration in 2004, before being concealed again while it was completed on May 15, 2006. After it was completed, it was quickly found that the sculpture does not need someone to upkeep and maintain it since, conveniently, it is located outside and the rain can do it itself. Snow can be wiped off the sculpture from the many tourists touching it, allowing them to still take warped selfies under its "omphalos." Over the years since it was fully constructed, it has gained considerable popularity, both domestically and internationally.
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Address: 200 N La Salle St Ste 2675, Chicago, IL 60601
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