Lovely fall colors
Setting for The Bean
In spite of frigid temperatures, crowds still pose at The Bean
“The Bean” is a popular destination, no matter the weather
Frigid weather at the beginning of November wasn’t enough to keep people away from Millennium Park in Chicago and especially around the enormously popular Cloud Gate Sculpture, more commonly known as “The Bean”.
The fall colors were still very pretty but the temperature was really cold when we were there. However, we decided to go look at the Bean anyway, as did hundreds, maybe thousands of others. Just bundle up and do it!
Entering the “omphalos”
The Beanwas designed by talented Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor. It soon became one of the most popular photo ops in the city, due to its unique reflective properties. Supposedly Kapoor was inspired by liquid mercury, and the resultant surface reflects and distorts the city’s skyline. Youcan get great photos, not only of the Cloud Gateand all the amazing reflections of the city’s buildings on it, but also of the actual skyline framed beyond the sculpture.
Most visitors walk around the outside first, and then go underneath the 12-foot high arch of Cloud Gate. On the underside is the “omphalos” (Greek for “navel”), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections.Kids (of all ages) enjoy the fun-house mirror effect that this creates—including me and my family. We hear amazed gasps and astonished comments, as people try to get pictures of their multiple selves. Some of the reflections are smaller or larger than you’d expect and at some angles it’s a little like playing “Where’s Waldo?” trying to find yourself or a friend.
Looking upwards
Even the little kids are fascinated
Here are a few fun photos. In the next post, I’ll talk about the Bean in more detail.
Around and About with Viv 