Anish Kapoor

Anish Kapoor has created some of the world’s most recognizable contemporary sculptures. Influenced by western philosophy and his Indian heritage, Kapoor explores humanity and the relationship between light and dark. His sculptures use color, form, size, and medium to change the way you see things to create new environments and experiences. Kapoor’s experimentation with medium and structure has guided him to work with a variety of materials including fiberglass, clay, paint, steel, and wax. Many of his most famous works have been constructed out of steel and are known for causing beautiful and extraordinary reflections of the surrounding scenery and sky.

Cloud Gate, 2004, stainless steel, approx. 25×15×12m

Of Kapoor’s work the piece that I am most familiar with is Cloud Gate, or as the locals call it the Chicago Bean. The piece weights over 110 tons and was created using individual stainless steel plates that were polished for hours on end to create the smooth and seamless appearance. I like Cloud Gate because of the contrast it has in shape, orientation, and texture to its surroundings. In a city where everything is very straight and vertical it’s exciting and refreshing to see something so opposite in the midst. The “Bean” transforms its surroundings into new shapes and sizes when it captures them it its reflection, contorting them into a new perspective. Like a fun house, visitors and walk underneath it and see how the shape interacts with their own images as well.

Turning the World Upside Down, 2010, Stainless steel, 5×5×5m

Sky Mirror, 2009, 270×270×151 cm, Stainless steel