Often people term it as the belly button. Kapoor calls it Cloud Gate because eighty percent of the surface of this sculpture reflects the sky. He sees this work as an intersection between sculpture and architecture. Cloud Gate is an iconic piece representing the cultural value of the city in the public space.20 Jul 2015
Why was the Cloud Gate created?
However, the sculpture was not completely finished until 2006. Cloud Gate was built as an interactive sculpture where visitors can touch, observe their reflections, and walk through the art. In fact, the Bean's maintenance crew come to wipe down the fingerprints on the bottom sections up to seven times a day.28 Aug 2020
What is a fun fact about Cloud Gate?
Cloud Gate measures 10 by 20 by 13 meters (33 by 66 by 42 feet), and weighs 100 tonnes (110 US tons). Visitors are able to walk around and under Cloud Gate's 3.7-meter (12-foot) high arch. On the underside is the “omphalos” (Greek for “navel”), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections.
Can you touch Cloud Gate?
Its polished surface, which makes the sculpture appear seamless, also invites visitors to touch the surface, which can be dangerous during the current pandemic. Additionally, visitors to Cloud Gate can observe their own reflection and the reflection of Chicago's skyline, giving it an interactive quality.15 Mar 2020
Why do people visit the Cloud Gate?
It offers visitors a beautiful venue in which to let their creative and playful side shine. It also provides incredible reflections of Chicago's skyline in its highly polished surface. Having fun at the Bean.23 Feb 2021
How Cloud Gate was created?
2006
Can you touch the Cloud Gate?
"You can touch it, but if you touch it with a wet surface, you'll be there awhile." The sculpture also will require some cleaning, but it's not known how often that will happen. "People are obviously going to put their hands on it," Uhlir said. "The grease from fingers will need to be wiped away."16 Jul 2004
What is the subject matter of Cloud Gate?
Kapoor calls it Cloud Gate because eighty percent of the surface of this sculpture reflects the sky. He sees this work as an intersection between sculpture and architecture. Cloud Gate is an iconic piece representing the cultural value of the city in the public space.20 Jul 2015
Can you go inside Cloud Gate?
The reflection of the sky above the park, not to mention the curved underside of The Bean serves as an entrance that visitors can walk under to enter the park, inspired the sculpture's creator to name the piece Cloud Gate.7 Sept 2021
What is inside Cloud Gate?
Inside Cloud Gate's polished exterior shell are several steel structures that keep the sculpture standing. The first structural pieces, two type 304 stainless steel rings, were put into place in February 2004. As construction continued, crisscrossing pipe trusses were assembled between the two rings.