<< Previous Next >>

Kidney Bean


Kidney Bean
Photo Information
Copyright: Ken Ilio (flip89) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 602 W: 174 N: 600] (3435)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07-16
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Nikon D70, Nikkor 24-120mm VR, Heliopan UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): TE Trieste exhibition: “Viaggiando Immaginando”, Sculpture, The Bean, Chicago Photos, Twins? [Part XIV] [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-07-17 8:39
Viewed: 4132
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
'Cloud Gate,' a monumental sculpture designed by the celebrated British artist, Anish Kapoor, is Chicago's latest public installation. It is a major feature of Millennium Park, a glorious 24.5 acre park which opened yesterday, July 16. Located in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets, the park is an unprecedented center for world-class art, music, architecture and landscape design, where you can experience everything from interactive public art and ice skating to al fresco dining and free classical music presentations by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. Among the park’s prominent features is the dazzling Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States, designed by Frank Gehry, one of the world’s greatest living architects.

Kapoor's sculpture which he named 'Cloud Gate' only after was fully assembled is forged of a seamless series of highly-polished stainless steel "plates" that create an elliptically-arched, highly reflective work with Chicago’s skyline and Millennium Park itself as a dramatic backdrop. Visitors will be able to fully experience the majestic nature of the work by literally walking through and around, as it was designed for public interaction. Inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture is among the largest in the world, measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high and weighing 110 tons.

I forgot to add: The sculpture is still unfinished and was just uncovered for the opening of the park this weekend. After a week, it will be put under a canopy again to complete the finishing (to make the surface more seamless). As far as people are concerned, the sculpture is already finished. It is really quite an experience touching it, going under it, taking pictures of your own reflection.

Added October 26: The sculpture has proven to be so popular that they decided to postpone the completion after Christmas. So in January, the sculpture will be covered by a canopy so they can polish the seams. Thanks for your interest!
nwoehnl, bertolucci, Kenny10pin, Liora, DaveLarson, rhizomes, Polonaise has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekEarth members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekEarth members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Liora Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1152 W: 142 N: 323] (1857)
  • [2004-07-17 9:14]

A fantastic sculpture. The reflection is indeed beautiful - I wonder how often it needs to be polished in order to achieve such clarity and glow. Very well captured and explained.

amazing sculpture, well done, I like the composition and the colours too, very unique indeed, well done

Wahooo... voici une image urbaine comme je les adore :-) Cette "goutte de métal"... ou ce nuage, comme le veut l'artiste est splendide. Beau cadrage, belle ambiance. Merci pour l'info Ken !

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12822 W: 275 N: 17308] (69708)
  • [2004-07-17 12:56]

What beautiful photograph, Ken, very lovely of colours with splendid reflections. Great work!

I love this busy urban capture, Ken. It's very well framed, does this incredible sculpture right and captures the people's excitement very nicely. It wouldn't have the strength it has now without the crispness and rich colours. Great job.

Very cool shot, Ken. What a fantastic sculpture amidst the distinctive Chicago architecture, and the kidney shape sure yields some fascinating effects like the highrises bending into the reflection on either side. Great colors and clarity in your shot. Thanks for sharing this and I'm sure this is not the last time we get to see this on TE.

amazing piece - read all about it - amazing to look at and in environment really works

What an amazing concept and realisation. I'm sure you're correct it will be a big crowd puller. The surrounding environment has been well captured and there's a buzz from the people you have caught also. You might want to add it to my new Theme - Sculpture. Cheers

first i took a look at the night photo - now i know why :
the cloud gate :)

Hey, this would look great in black and white.. hmm, interesting...A bit less crowded to perhaps..Great job. matt

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF