Photos

Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate Installation at Chicago's Millennium Park

You've seen it here first back in July 2004 and subsequently in a theme collecting most, if not all, the images of "The Bean" in TrekEarth. And then it disappeared.

If you must know, "The Bean" is a sculpture by the celebrated Anish Kapoor. The 110-ton stainless steel sculpture looks like a glob of mercury, or more importantly, shaped like a bean, that's why Chicagoans affectionately call it as such. It is one of the more popular 'enhancements' of Chicago's new Millennium Park. Visitors can walk around and under the installation, touch it, interact with it, take photos of their reflection as well as the reflection of the surroundings as it is designed for public interaction. It was open for public viewing when the park opened in July ...

But, currently, it is under wraps, hidden under a canopy because they are polishing the seams of the stainless steel plates that comprise the sculpture. It is scheduled to be unveiled sometime in the spring.

So meanwhile, enjoy looking at this photograph taken last September.

BTW, there was a huge controversy within the Chicago photographic community about taking pictures of The Bean as well as other enhancements in the park. According to park officials, photographers (especially professionals and students) are required to get a permit to take pictures of the park. Guards have been harrassing photographers (especially those with tripods) taking photographs (they were told to look for sophisticated equipment - tripods basically). But because of the controversy, right now, they stopped the ban and people are allowed to take pictures without permits. HOWEVER, there are still COPYRIGHT issues involved. The 'enhancements' are copyrighted by the artists, so photographers should keep in mind when photographing these enhancements, including this one.