The Bean Is Back: 7 Shocking Facts And The Inside Story Of Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate Reopening

Chicago’s most beloved public artwork, *Cloud Gate*, affectionately known worldwide as "The Bean," is once again fully accessible to the public, marking its return after a major closure that spanned nearly a year. As of late 2024, the iconic, reflective sculpture is back in its full glory at Millennium Park’s Grainger Plaza, drawing millions of visitors eager to capture the perfect, distorted selfie. This triumphant return follows extensive "necessary maintenance" and structural updates to the surrounding plaza, cementing its status as one of the world's most enduring and technically challenging pieces of public art.

The closure, which began in August 2023 and concluded around the end of June 2024, was a significant event for the city, highlighting just how integral the 110-ton elliptical sculpture is to Chicago's identity. Beyond its reflective surface, the history of the sculpture—from its complex engineering to the surprising controversies surrounding its creator, Sir Anish Kapoor—is a fascinating tale of art, law, and urban design.

The Architect of Reflection: Sir Anish Kapoor's Biography and Works

The man behind the mirror-like marvel is Sir Anish Kapoor, a highly influential British-Indian sculptor whose work consistently explores themes of void, reflection, and biomorphic forms. Understanding the artist is key to appreciating the depth of *Cloud Gate*.

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• Full Name: Sir Anish Mikhail Kapoor CBE RA
• Born: 12 March 1954, in Mumbai, India (then Bombay)
• Nationality: British-Indian
• Current Residence: London, England
• Education: Hornsey College of Art (1973–77); Chelsea School of Art (1977–78)
• Awards & Honors: Turner Prize (1991), Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE, 2003), Knight Bachelor (2013) for services to visual arts.
• Key Works Beyond *Cloud Gate*: *ArcelorMittal Orbit* (London), *Sky Mirror* (Nottingham/New York), *Dirty Corner* (Versailles), and the controversial acquisition of the exclusive artistic rights to Vantablack, the blackest substance known.
• Recent Activity: Kapoor continues to exhibit globally, with a major exhibition of his *Early Works* scheduled for The Jewish Museum in New York in 2025–2026.

Kapoor's artistic vision often involves large-scale, site-specific installations that challenge the viewer's perception of space and material. *Cloud Gate* is his first permanent public outdoor work installed in the United States, and its success immediately propelled him into a new tier of global recognition.

The 2024 Reopening: Why The Bean Was Closed and What Was Updated

The nearly 10-month closure of *Cloud Gate* in 2023–2024 was not due to damage to the sculpture itself, but rather a necessary overhaul of the surrounding area. The city deemed the construction project "necessary maintenance" and "structural updates" to Grainger Plaza, the main public space beneath and around the sculpture.

The Plaza Reconstruction: A New Foundation

The primary reason for the closure was the complete reconstruction of the plaza floor. The original paving was aging, and the city opted for a durable, aesthetically pleasing upgrade. The project involved the installation of 18,900 square feet of new porcelain tile plaza, a complex process that required heavy construction equipment and limited public access to ensure safety.

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While the closure caused some disappointment for tourists, the maintenance is crucial for preserving the integrity of the entire installation. The sculpture, which weighs 110 tons, sits atop a massive foundation, and the surrounding pavement must be maintained to handle the millions of footfalls it receives annually. Furthermore, the city uses the opportunity to implement other structural improvements, ensuring the area can support the massive crowds that flock to the site daily.

Ongoing Maintenance: The Secret to the Shine

Maintaining the mirror-like finish of the seamless stainless steel sculpture is an intensive, ongoing effort. Despite its smooth appearance, *Cloud Gate* is actually composed of 168 separate stainless steel plates, which were meticulously welded and polished to create its signature seamless look.

To keep the surface pristine and free from fingerprints, weather damage, and the occasional act of vandalism (like the graffiti incident in 2019), a dedicated maintenance team is required. The sculpture is buffed and polished twice a year to maintain its reflective quality, a testament to the city’s commitment to preserving this global landmark.

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7 Shocking Facts and Controversies Surrounding "The Bean"

The history of *Cloud Gate* is as rich and complex as its construction, involving multi-million dollar budgets, artistic rivalry, and surprising legal battles over its image.

1. It Beat Out an Art Legend: Kapoor’s design was not the only one considered for the Millennium Park centerpiece. It won out over a proposal for a giant, functional slide designed by American conceptual artist Jeff Koons.
2. The Cost Was Astronomical: The original budget for the sculpture was $6 million, but due to the unprecedented engineering complexity of achieving a seamless finish on the 110-ton structure, the final cost ballooned to an estimated $23 million.
3. The Name is a Legal Battleground: While Chicagoans universally call it "The Bean," Kapoor insists on the official name, *Cloud Gate*, which reflects his inspiration from liquid mercury. The artist has a fierce stance on protecting the integrity of his work and its image.
4. The NRA Lawsuit: In 2018, Kapoor sued the National Rifle Association (NRA) for unauthorized use of the sculpture's image in a pro-gun campaign video. Kapoor, who was "horrified" by the association, eventually settled the lawsuit out of court.
5. The Border Patrol Photo Controversy: In a separate, high-profile incident, Kapoor considered legal action after U.S. Border Patrol agents posed for a group photo in front of the sculpture. Kapoor condemned the act, stating he was "horrified" and viewing the photo-op as a political statement that violated his artistic intent.
6. The Chinese Plagiarism Suit: In 2015, Kapoor announced his intention to sue the Chinese government over a nearly identical "bean-shaped" sculpture unveiled in the city of Fuling, Xinjiang. He called the copy a clear case of plagiarism, although the outcome of the legal challenge remains contested.
7. The Steel Skeleton Was Removed: Achieving the seamless, liquid look was a monumental engineering challenge. During construction (2004–2006), the 168 stainless steel plates were assembled around an internal steel skeleton of rings and trusses, which was then removed piece by piece through the plates. The welding and polishing of the exterior seams took years, resulting in the perfect, continuous surface we see today.

The successful reopening of *Cloud Gate* in late 2024 is a welcome sign for Chicago’s tourism and public art scene. It solidifies the sculpture’s position not just as a landmark, but as a key piece of conceptual art that continues to spark conversation, controversy, and, above all, endless reflection.