I heard that every visitor to New York and Chicago will go to a large public art installation in the city center to take a photo. This sculpture, called “Cloud Gate,” is actually the masterpiece of artist Anish Kapoor. He created a huge, smooth installation made of stainless steel that reflects the cityscape and the sky. The locals consider it a living artwork.
However, this work is not unique to Chicago now, because Anish Kapoor’s commissioned work in downtown Manhattan, New York City, has officially been unveiled 15 years ago!
This piece is named “The Bean” and is meticulously welded together from 38 stainless steel plates. It measures 48 feet in length, 19 feet in height, and weighs a whopping 40 tons. Similar to the design of “Cloud Gate,” this artwork reflects the sky and surrounding urban landscape with its curved concave surface, encouraging passersby to pause and explore this twisted city skyline while immersing themselves in the reflective visual effects.
The sculpture that everyone sees today is actually the result of the artist’s perseverance over the past decade. Apart from the setbacks caused by the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic, this piece has also been delayed due to its technical complexity. Because it has taken many years to complete, it was previously nicknamed “Half Bean.”
The artwork appears to be trapped under the building, establishing an intimate connection with nearby residents and passing viewers. During the daytime, this sculpture resembles a lighthouse, and at night, its reflective surface will be illuminated by the surrounding environment, becoming the newest landmark in New York. Next time you visit New York, why not take a photo with this “bean” as a memento.
