The other day I posted a photo showing a rather unique architectural structure on top of the roof of an old building here in Chicago. I mentioned that we often miss opportunities to see interesting sights right in front of us; the ‘ordinary surroundings’ can be quite extraordinary.
This morning I had the occasion to walk past Millenium Park; home of “The Bean”, or its real name, “Cloudgate” (which I suspect no one but the artist calls it by its ‘real’ name). Normally I would keep on walking, thinking about anything BUT ‘The Bean’.
However, taking my own advice from the other day, I decided to snap a photo for you. It’s interesting for me to see others finding it interesting!! Primarily tourists abound The Bean at any given time; and yet, there I was, beaming at The Bean and quite proud that so many people find it so fascinating. It’s quite a piece of art, our bean! Note the reflection of some of the skyline in the photo. It wasn’t until I got home and transferred the photo to my computer that I noticed someone staring at me taking this photo!!! Say “cheese” Mr. Tourist! And welcome (unbeknownst to him) to The Chicago Files!! *LOL*
The Chicago Files 
I’d love to see the Bean in person! That fella is certainly looking directly at you, tourists… I was wondering how often this piece is cleaned and polished? And I bet you could make enough coffee for the entire city from just this one bean.;)
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*LOL* *LOL* Oh John, that is too funny! Why yes, but it wouldn’t be Tim Hortons coffee from Canada!!! I had no idea this fellow was looking directly at me when I took the photo. Rather interesting, as there were so many people taking photos. When you come to Chicago, you must see “The Bean”. I walk past it all the time, and yet rarely take notice. Shame on me; ergo my post the other day about noticing things right in front of you!! 😉 Cher xo
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It must be like waiting for your ride in an airport, all races, colors, shapes and sizes can be seen.
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That’s a great analogy, John! Do you see the girl on the left-hand side of the photo? She had just finished a ‘dance sequence’ with a fellow, and it was being recorded by someone (I think they were doing their own little film or something). Yes, The Bean Airport Express!! 😉 xo
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I see her now, and there’s a guy behind her by himself with a long selfie stick. Bummer to take a trip like that by himself.
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Oh those selfie sticks!!!!! I’m not a fan John, not a fan!! 😉
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They are kinda stupid yet I admit to owning one for the simple reason that once in a great while they can get a shot I can’t get otherwise. The stick stays in the car and never get’s used for selfies. Our society has become so narcissistic hasn’t it? Or perhaps we always have been.
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Well that is completely understandable as to why you own one, John. As for most people, I think it might be the narcissistic tendencies have already been in place for a long, long time. The person who invented the selfie stick might have simply been looking for something to fit what is already there! 😉
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Someone made millions!
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Necessity is the mother of invention; narcissists are no exception to this rule, John! The millions for photos on a stick! 😉
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So cool Cherxo
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Isn’t it cool, Lyn? I think so too! Cher xo
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Yes very cool
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I took this picture when I was the tourist in Chicago. And the part my friend’s 6 Year Old loved it. The best was figuring out where I was in the bean in my picture. I thought he’d been into the T Rex skeleton pic. But no. Bean.
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The Bean fascinates everyone I think! Why yes, I would have thought a 6 year old would be more mesmerized by a T-Rex!! The Bean wins the attention again! *LOL* Cher xo
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Love the bean.
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I know what you mean about the bean, David!! 🙂 Cher xo
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Nice piece of art Cher and a great photo 😀 Enjoy a beautiful weekend.
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Why thank you so much, Irene! I cannot get over how popular it is. In fact, in the summer it is difficult to even get near it!! *LOL* And to you as well my dear; thank you! Cher xo
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Fascinating piece of art. Futuristic looking but is out of its element with the buildings in t he backdrop. Love the distorted mirror effect.
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The distorted mirror effect is what really fascinates people, I think. The artist entitled it, “Cloudgate” which I think is supposed to represent a gateway to Chicago. But I understand what you are saying! Cher xo
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I like the name Cloudgate. Catchy 🙂
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate
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I see more pictures of The Bean than of just about anything else in Chicago (yours is the nicest, though… 😁
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Why thank you, John! Yes, there is just something about The Bean that fascinates people. There is so much going on in this beautiful city but that shiny bean gets a lot of attention! *LOL* Cher xo
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Admire the mind that created this marvelous structure!! Awesome ….. “The Bean”, or its real name, “Cloudgate”!!
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It’s a neat sculpture. I have to admit my preference for this sort of picture, though, is getting a photograph of someone photographing it.
Once in London, outside the SARM Studios, I was able to get a photograph of a person taking a photograph of people taking photographs of themselves at the front door. I might never be able to top that, but how do I know someone wasn’t photographing me?
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*LOL* I love that experience, Joseph! And you are correct; you could be in someone’s photo album of you taking a photo of a person taking a photo of people taking photos of themselves! Whew, this could be quite the photo! 😉 Cher xo
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Nice shot Cher. I loved photographing it the last time i was there in 2014. It has quickly become an iconic symbol for the city and it really is a very cool piece of art.
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Thank you, Norm! “The Bean” really has become an iconic symbol for Chicago. For me, I also love, “the corncob buildings”; Marina Towers is my favorite icon for Chicago, but The Bean comes in very close! Cher xo
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Chicago always brings great memories….This is great post…
please follow and like my new piano page, I appreciate it https://mihranpiano.wordpress.com
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Why thank you so much! I will follow your page right now! Cher xo
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Thank you so much, I appreciate it – wish you a great weekend!
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Thank you, and I look forward to reading the posts on your new blog! Have a great weekend as well! Thanks! Cher xo
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I’m a sucker for photos like this. It has a fun-house quality.
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*LOL* Well you are completely correct! It does have a ‘fun-house’ quality! The closer you get to it, the ‘stranger’ things seem to appear! *which is why I am wayyyyy back from it* *LOL* Cher xo
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I don’t know where this is in relation to the rising or setting sun, but I can imagine from seeing the sun’s reflection that a dawn or dusk photo might be especially attractive when viewed as reflected in the “bean”.
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Hi John, excellent question! ‘As the crow flies’, “The Bean” faces East. The downtown buildings block a sunset bouncing off the bean! *grin* The dawn photo would be wonderful! I haven’t been downtown that early, to be honest. It appears I’m too busy taking sunrise photos from my window! *LOL* But if I have an opportunity sometime to get down there at that time, I most certainly shall take some photos, John! Cher xo
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I agree with you about noticing things around you. That is one of the benefits of walking around with a camera… it forces me to look at things I would otherwise not see. I enjoy playing tourist in my own city. Love that bean!
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Well my dear I absolutely love what you said! It is wonderful to pay tourist in one’s own city, isn’t it? We get to ‘see’ more that way I think!! Thank you for your wonderful comments! Cher xo
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I think this is an extraordinary piece of sculpture because the concept appears to simple and the result is so wonderfully complex and inclusive. It takes in both the physical environment and the human onlookers. How come you got the beautiful bean and we got the awful ArcelorMittal Orbit, by the same guy?
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I agree, Hilary! Your words are a beautiful description!! Thank YOU! *LOL* I don’t know about the ArcelorMittal Orbit; perhaps he likes deep-dish pizza and gave Chicago, “Cloudgate” because of it? *LOL* I heard the artist, ‘despises’ the name, “The Bean”. Cher xo
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That is one mighty big bean ! Such an interesting sculpture, quite a landmark. Enjoy the Bean!!
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Thank you, dearie! I think it is quite interesting, too! When you say, “Meet me at The Bean”, everyone knows where/what you are talking about! *LOL* Cher xo
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One of my favourite pieces in Chicago I especially like to take photos underneath.
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The Bean is so incredibly popular!! Yes, there are always lots of people underneath snapping photos! I will have to do that sometime! Were you able to get some good shots? Cher xo
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