Living in Chicago, one of the public sculptures I have always appreciated is Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor, popularly dubbed "The Bean" by locals and tourists alike. It's a huge bean-shaped mirror, and what's particularly appealing about it for many is that it encourages interaction because you can see yourself reflected in it -- distorted in various ways (upside down, shorter/taller, etc. depending on what part you are near), all akin to those carnival-type of wavy mirrors. And, you see the Chicago skyline behind you. You always see people touching it, photographing it, being photographed playing with the reflections of it, etc. It invites playful interaction.
I went to the Leeum Samsung Gallery of Art today, and found the "siblings" to Cloud Gate! But both were beyond a fence, and I could only photograph them from a distance. Needless to say, nobody was interacting with them at all. But even from a distance, you could see the upside down reflection of the building across from it, distorted in the mirror by the curved surface, just like with Cloud Gate.
And the Leeum Gallery? I could have stayed for hours and hours . . . the artwork is showcased like a boutique, and how the objects are exhibited are works of art. The walls of silky-smooth concrete, the fabulously echo-y wooden floors, the mysteriously subtle lighting, and more and more.
You can read more about it in the blog post below (if you ignore the log in, it will still let you read and view the article.)
Hi Junko. This is great - love the reflections and it works really well in black and white. Looking through your photos I realise that I looked through your project before when I came across your train picture from 14th Feb; you've got some amazing pictures and that one is one of my favourites. My challenge for you (that someone set for me a few weeks ago) is to take a photo(s) using contrasting colours. Have fun.
I have a photo of my kids and the Chicago "sister" Bean from a visit years ago--ah, lovely Chicago. Nice capture here. I much prefer interactive sculpture--especially in public spaces, but that's just me. Hope your trip is going well!
I was just at the Bean and wondering why I know the architect of the bandshell but not the artist of that fabulous sculpture. I will have to memorize the name.
Those cousins to our sculpture look great but it is quite sad that people are kept away from them. The contrast between the blocky mirror and the tall bubbles makes for a strong composition.
Those cousins to our sculpture look great but it is quite sad that people are kept away from them. The contrast between the blocky mirror and the tall bubbles makes for a strong composition.