The Bean: public art in Chicago

The Bean
Originally uploaded by lucs.b

The bean, aka Cloud gate, is an orgilichal sculpture found in Grant Park / Millennium Park, Chicago.

It was designed by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, says Wikipedia. It is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park within the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois.

Kapoor's design was inspired by liquid mercury and the sculpture's surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline. Visitors are able to walk around and under Cloud Gate's 12-foot high arch. On the underside is the "omphalos" (Greek for "navel"), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections.

Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams.