Cloud Gate "The Bean" in Chicago, Illinois

Standing at the heart of Millennium Park in downtown Chicago, Cloud Gate has become one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a must-visit attraction for locals and tourists alike. 

Designed by British artist Sir Anish Kapoor and unveiled in 2006, the sculpture is affectionately nicknamed “The Bean” due to its distinctive, elliptical shape. Made from 168 highly polished stainless steel plates welded seamlessly together, Cloud Gate stretches 66 feet long, 33 feet high, and 42 feet wide, creating a reflective surface that mirrors the city’s skyline, the surrounding park, and the visitors who pass beneath it.

The sculpture’s reflective quality is central to its appeal. As people approach, they see distorted, dreamlike versions of themselves set against the backdrop of Chicago’s towering architecture. Its concave underside, known as the “omphalos” or navel, warps reflections in a way that draws visitors to walk beneath it and experience the kaleidoscopic perspectives it produces. This interactive aspect invites engagement, making the sculpture both a work of art and a participatory experience. The mirrored surface changes with the weather and light, offering new visual experiences at different times of day and throughout the seasons.

Cloud Gate also exemplifies a successful blend of art, technology, and engineering. Kapoor’s design required meticulous planning and collaboration with engineers to ensure the sculpture’s structural stability while maintaining its perfectly smooth exterior. The polished stainless steel surface was especially challenging to fabricate, requiring careful alignment and welding of the steel plates. Afterward, it underwent extensive grinding and polishing to achieve the seamless, mirror-like finish that defines the sculpture today. The result is a piece of public art that is both visually striking and technically impressive.

Since its installation, Cloud Gate has become more than just a sculpture; it is a social and cultural phenomenon. It draws millions of visitors annually who come to take photographs, gather with friends, or simply reflect on the city around them. The sculpture has become a symbol of Chicago, appearing in countless postcards, travel guides, films, and social media posts. Its popularity has helped make Millennium Park a hub of public life, hosting festivals, performances, and civic events, with Cloud Gate often serving as a visual centerpiece for these activities.

The artistic impact of Cloud Gate extends beyond aesthetics. It challenges conventional ideas of public sculpture by encouraging interaction and engagement. Unlike traditional statues that are meant to be observed from a distance, Cloud Gate invites visitors to become part of the artwork itself. By reflecting both people and cityscape, the sculpture creates a dynamic interplay between observer and environment, highlighting the connection between individuals and their urban surroundings.

In essence, Cloud Gate represents the perfect marriage of art, architecture, and public space. Its reflective surface not only captures the physical beauty of Chicago’s skyline but also the vitality of its residents and visitors. More than a landmark, it is a living work of art, constantly evolving with the light, weather, and people around it. Its presence in Millennium Park has transformed the area into a cultural and social focal point, establishing Cloud Gate as one of the most beloved and recognizable pieces of public art in the United States.

The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles, California

Located in downtown Los Angeles, California, the Last Bookstore is a giant new and used book store that banked on the idea that book shopping could be instagrammable. From inside a tunnel of vintage books to walls of book-inspired art installations, the Last Bookstore is unique in that it combines the thrill of thrifting with the curated aesthetic of a downtown gallery. Visiting this gem wasn't just fun - it was actually a great place to find some unique local resources.  

Louvre Pyramid in Paris, France

The Louvre Pyramid is a modern architectural masterpiece that stands at the center of the Cour Napoléon courtyard of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, the glass and metal pyramid was inaugurated in 1989 and serves as the main entrance to the world-renowned museum.

Composed of 673 glass panes, the pyramid rises to a height of 21.6 meters (about 71 feet) and forms a striking contrast to the classical architecture of the historic Louvre Palace. The structure is both functional and symbolic, representing the merging of old and new. Beneath the pyramid lies a large subterranean lobby that connects the museum’s three main wings—Denon, Sully, and Richelieu—streamlining visitor access and circulation.

When it was first proposed, the design was controversial. 

Many critics felt that the modernist style clashed with the Renaissance and Baroque elements of the surrounding buildings. However, over time, the Louvre Pyramid has become an iconic symbol of Paris, admired for its bold vision and elegant simplicity.

The pyramid also has deeper symbolic meaning. Its geometric form references ancient Egyptian pyramids, a nod to the Louvre’s extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities. The transparency of the glass panels allows natural light to filter into the underground lobby, creating a bright and welcoming space that enhances the visitor experience.

Today, the Louvre Pyramid is not just a gateway to the world's most visited art museum, but also a cultural icon in its own right. It has been featured in numerous films, books, and artworks, and is a popular spot for tourists to photograph. The pyramid exemplifies how contemporary design can enhance historic spaces, blending innovation with tradition in one of the most celebrated cultural sites in the world.