Skating below “The Bean”

Millenium Park

Millennium Park

We went on a quick trip to Chicago to take care of some family business, and squeezed in a trip to the Loop and Millennium Park. This was my first opportunity to photograph “The Bean” as Anish Kapoor’s stainless steel sculpture is fondly nicknamed. The official name of the abstract distortion sculpture is Cloud Gate.

As is typical for January, it was cloudy and cold – perfect weather for ice skating, but not such perfect for prowling the lakefront, scouting for the best angle to photograph this enticing work of art. I loved how part of the sculpture was snow covered, and how the cloudy skies reflected a gray and threatening feeling, and I was able to capture that in a short photo shoot. But truly, this sculpture is the kind of thing that would be fun to spend half a day admiring and photographing, and so I will return. I didn’t get close enough to explore it in depth, but I did read that you can actually walk underneath.  I’ll definitely check it out the next time we’re in Chicago.

About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. What an interesting structure. Love how it picks up all of the reflections..and the people add such life. Wonderful winter urban scene!!

  2. What a fascinating scene! I had not heard of “The Bean”.

  3. awesome shot! i love the reflection 🙂

  4. a wonderful and playful photo.

  5. Reflection’s really unique.

  6. Madison Guy says

    Nice bi-level perspective. Yes, walking underneath is so cool, especially with a wide angle lens.

  7. I’ve not heard of this sculpture either and look forward to your return visit and subsequent photos and descriptions. We learn something new every day….if we’re lucky! This is great!

  8. I went back three times so I understand the appeal. In fact, I was thinking while there that it would be wonderful to be able to photograph The Bean throughout the year.

    Great capture. I like the snow on top, too.

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