“The Bean” by Anish Kapoor

Bean or Cloud Gate in Chicago’s Millennium Park is a piece of sculpture that is fast becoming an iconic symbol for that City.  It is designed by Indian born, British sculptor Anish Kapoor.  Its official name is Cloud Gate but everyone calls it “The Bean”.  People seems to like this sculpture, it is shaped like a giant pillow for the Chicago’s sky scrapers. Its shimmering mirror like curved surfaces reflects and distorts the blue sky, white clouds, and the Chicago skyline.

Despite Bean’s heft (110 tons) and size (33’X42’X66’) it seems ephemeral. It invites people to touch it and stand next to it or under it.  From a distance it reflects the sky and the surrounding park and up close it becomes a personal mirror reflecting people’s faces.  Children especially love the sculpture, they like touching it and standing next to it. Though it is immobile with no moving parts to it but it is interactive.  As one grownup said it is a wonderful object.