Last Updated on October 9, 2024
What an excellent time we’ve been having here in Chicago for the last few weeks!
We love spending time here seeing friends and family and catching new glimpses of the city – like seeing the ‘Bean’ on a perfectly clear Autumn night. We’ve seen it on warm summer mornings and freezing cold winter afternoons, but never quite like this! This sculpture, officially named Cloud Gate, is the vision of British artist Anish Kapoor and was finished in 2006. Set in the city’s famous Millennium Park, this is one of those spots in Chicago that are popular with tourists but make us fall in love with city every time we’re back here with family, too.
The Bean’s surface distorts the iconic buildings of Chicago’s skyline, and you can walk all the way underneath into a chamber which multiplies sound and reflection. During the day, hundreds of people buzz and flitter around and underneath, and their presence affects the photos you can take. At night, with far fewer people, we could take hundreds of photos from dozens of angles with the skyline becoming the true star. It was exactly as we had hoped!
Sunny
Friday 4th of April 2014
Wow! It is so beautiful, I just loved it. Thanks for sharing such a nice post.
Hurssel
Thursday 31st of October 2013
When i was there in Chicago, I visited The Bean in day light but now after seeing this reflecting Bean in night i wish i could be there in night. Oh god i missed a magical view of The Bean. But i would like to thank you mate for this lovely night pic, now i would not make this mistake again.
Kathryn
Monday 28th of October 2013
Awesome photo yet again girls! It's quite magical. I wonder how do they protect the polished surface from vandals?
Dani
Tuesday 29th of October 2013
Thanks, Kathryn! I never thought about people even CONSIDERING vandalizing the Bean but it's an interesting question. When we were there late at night security guards were patrolling around the park, so I think they must be there all night.
Maria
Friday 25th of October 2013
Seen a lot of photos of this iconic bean but the one featured here is far and above the others. Great use of it's reflective surface at night.
Dani
Tuesday 29th of October 2013
Thanks so much, Maria! Your comment put a huge smile on my face :)