Chicago’s Cloud Gate

ever visited Chicago, you’ve probably seen Cloud Gate. It is a public sculpture that is located in Millennium Park.

The work was created by British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor. He draws inspiration from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. His works consistently explore the duality of reality and the limitless nature of space.

Cloud Gate was originally conceived to resemble liquid mercury. Its surface reflects the surrounding Chicago skyline. This makes the structure a popular tourist attraction.

There are 168 stainless steel plates that make up the 66-foot-long Cloud Gate. Each plate is carefully placed into a circular form. When assembled, the entire sculpture weighs 110 tons.

The exterior of Cloud Gate is made of highly polished stainless steel. The structure is also made from several framing components, including wood and high density polyurethane foam. Several design calculations were completed to ensure structural integrity.

Cloud Gate is a unique sculpture that allows visitors to interact with it. Visitors are invited to walk around the 3.7-meter-high arch. They can also look through it to see the city’s skyline.

A ten-day event was held to transform Cloud Gate. Luftwerk added lights and music to the site. Another company, Atelier One, teamed up with freelance engineer Chris Hornzee to assemble the structure.

The final cost of the project was $23 million. Cloud Gate is one of the largest permanent outdoor art installations in the world.

“The Bean” is another nickname for Cloud Gate. It is located in Millennium Park, near Grant Park.