"When I created Cloud Gate, I was asked to make something that
would last for a thousand years," he said in a faxed statement. "In
that context, I hope that this brief period will not seem significant." ~ Anish Kapoor
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/lake/chi-0505260152may26,1,34349.story
Can't rush a perfect Bean
The Cloud Gate sculpture sits partially covered Wednesday afternoon in Millennium Park.
(Tribune Photo by John Lee) Many more "Bean" scenes here:
http://cyncity.typepad.com/photos/cyn_city_millenium_park_c/
With work at snail's pace, sculpture under wraps for much of the summer
By Charles Sheehan
Tribune staff reporter
May 26, 2005
Cloud Gate, the massive bean-shaped sculpture that the city had hoped
to unveil Memorial Day weekend in Millennium Park, may not be completed
until the end of the summer, park officials said Wednesday.
It became clear about two weeks ago that buffing out seams between
168 polished, stainless steel plates that make up the 110-ton sculpture
was far more labor-intensive than originally had been thought, said
park officials.
Most of the sculpture, affectionately called "The Bean," will remain
obscured from view for several months. The northern end of the piece
will be uncovered and the tent covering the rest of the sculpture will
be removed gradually as additional sections are polished.
"It is our goal that the entire project will be completed by the
end of the summer or possibly sooner," said Lyle Hill, president of MTH
Industries, which is polishing and sanding the steel plates. "However,
it is difficult to gauge an accurate completion date since this is such
an extremely demanding project."
The cost of the extended work, which is being funded with private
and corporate donations, is not known, said Robert A. Wislow, chairman
and CEO of U.S. Equities, the firm retained by Millennium Park Inc. to
manage the project.
The Bean became a hit with the public when it was briefly exposed,
even before the seams had been polished. In January, the sculpture was
covered in a tent for the polishing.
Planners on Wednesday were trying to put a positive spin on news
that the Bean, the crown jewel of Millennium Park, will not be
completed as Chicago's tourist season kicks into high gear.
By Friday, about 20 percent of the sculpture will be visible as workers reconfigure the tent.
Visitors will be able to touch the northern portion and kiosks
will be built near the west side of the Bean so that people can watch
as the work is completed, Wislow said.
Plexiglas and clear plastic windows on the north side of the tent will allow visitors to peer inside, he said.
"It may prove to be more interesting this summer to some people
who will get to see how this unprecedented piece of artwork is being
created," Wislow said. "There are going to be people using harnesses
and hanging down to do some of the work. Others will be below, on their
backs polishing the underside. It's something that most people will
never get to see in their lifetime."
The draw of Cloud Gate, even obscured by scaffolding and canvas,
was evident Wednesday as dozens of people stood at its northern end and
gaped at the city skyline reflected in polished steel.
City officials also were trying to see the good in what has become
the latest component of Millennium Park to fall behind schedule.
Millennium Park was supposed to open in 2000 at a cost of $150
million. It opened four years late at more than triple that cost.
Backers had initially said the project would pay for itself with
proceeds coming from the Millennium Parking garage, though that has not
happened.
The expected contribution from city funds has ballooned from $120
million, to $270 million. About $100 million has been raised through a
special taxing fund.
The city views the new delay for the Bean as relatively minor.
"We're disappointed that it's not going to be fully unveiled, but
at the same time, visitors are going to be able to see it partially
exposed and they get to experience the process as Cloud Gate is
completed," said Karen Ryan, spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of
Cultural Affairs.
It is hoped that the rest of Millennium Park, along with scheduled
concerts and other events, will prove to be enough of a draw that
tourism will not be affected, she said.