Cool facts about Cloud Gate
Posted on Aug 25, 2025 / Travel

- Cloud Gate weighs approximately 110 tons and is made of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, polished to create a seamless reflective surface.
- The sculpture’s nickname, "The Bean," comes from its kidney-bean-like shape, which allows visitors to see the city skyline distorted in creative ways.
- Anish Kapoor designed Cloud Gate to resemble liquid mercury, with the reflective surface creating dynamic interactions with light and the environment.
- The underside of the sculpture, called the "omphalos," produces unique concave reflections, drawing visitors to walk underneath for a mesmerizing experience.
- Cloud Gate has become one of Chicago’s most photographed landmarks, appearing in countless movies, TV shows, and travel publications.
- The sculpture cost about $23 million to complete, funded through private donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Since its unveiling in 2006, Cloud Gate has become an iconic symbol of Chicago and a centerpiece of Millennium Park.
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