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.
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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.
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Turning the World Upside Down, 2010, Stainless steel, 5×5×5m |
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Sky Mirror, 2009, 270×270×151 cm, Stainless steel |
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