According to an article I read recently, the Bean in Chicago is ranked No. 4 on the list of the Top 100 Most Photographed U.S. Landmarks. The Bean!?!?
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Actually, the Bean is really Cloud Gate at AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park in Chicago. The 110-ton elliptical structure is the work of British artist Anish Kapoor. It is a seamless series of stainless steel plates which reflect the skyline. The Bean nickname was originally eschewed by the artist and those involved, but it has since been embraced due to its popularity.
I find the whole situation disheartening. Out of all the beautiful and historic sites in the United States, the Bean is the fourth-most photographed? It wouldn’t even make my top four in downtown Chicago!
Within eyeshot is Lake Michigan, the Magnificent Mile, the Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, the Wacker Avenue bridges over the Chicago River — just to name a few! Time calls it “an essential photo op.”
It is interesting. I’ll give it that. The structure reflects the skyline and any people standing near it. It creates interesting images, but so does a funhouse mirror.
My opinion is not a statement of my dislike of the Bean. While it is true I am not a big fan of ridiculously priced, meaningless structures like this one, it is not the reason why I scratch my head at it making the most-photographed list. The article asked, “What could be a better tourist photo than your contorted reflection with the Chicago skyline in the background?” How about a simple, yet beautiful picture of you with the Chicago skyline (at any angle) in the background? Like a good piece of meat needs no condiment to enhance it, the Chicago skyline doesn’t need a silly, shiny legume to enhance its visual appeal.
Everytime I am in the Loop area, I see something new. I see modern beauty and historic splendor. I see angles and colors and shapes. I see continual motion and great stability. I see all of this with my own eyes (without rose-colored glasses even!) everywhere I look.
–John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
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