Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor's first public outdoor work installed in the United States. Though commonly known throughout Chicago as “The Bean” because of its kidney-bean shape, Cloud Gate was so christened when it debuted in 2006, two years after installation began. Kapoor's 110-ton elliptical sculpture is forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. The reflections of the city and the people surrounding the sculpture are equally fascinating. The Bean grew rapidly into one of Chicago’s major landmarks, up there with the Hancock Tower, the Chicago River, the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and Wrigley Field. In fact, it is Chicago’s No. 2 tourist attraction, thanks in part to its reflective surface that simplifies selfie photographs. The sculpture is a major feature in the city’s Millennium Park and stands next to Jaume Plensa's Crown Foundation (installed in 2004), another favorite for its constant monumental video feed.
Built by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Frank Gehry and opened on July 16, 2004, the BP Bridge is a unique stainless steel pedestrian bridge that crosses downtown Chicago's Columbus Drive. It connects Daley Bicentennial Plaza and Millennium Park, which allows pedestrians views of Lake Michigan, obscured only by Lakeshore Drive, as well as the Chicago skyline, Grant Park, and Maggie Daley Park. It spans an impressive 925 feet long and 20 feet wide and with its many curves and silver, shiny color, many believe it resembles a snake. It was named after BP energy, who donated $5 million to its construction.
The Crown Fountain is a piece of public art located in Chicago's Millennium Park that opened in July 2004. It was built by Krueck and Sexton Architects and designed by Jaume Plensa, a Catalan artist. The fountain is a Black granite pool with a 50 ft. glass brick tower on either end. The towers display videos of various faces that interact with park goers by squirting water out of their mouths. The water features operate from May to October.
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Lurie Garden is a 5- acre urban rooftop garden that was opened in 2004. The garden is located in the southeast area of Millennium Park, at Monroe Street. It was worth over $10 million dollars to construct and has adopted the symbol of Chicago’s motto, “Urbs in Horto" (City in a Garden). The garden is famous for its urban landscape and massive variety of beautiful native plants. It is an ideal haven for the local wildlife as well.
