There’s now a smaller version of Chicago’s iconic “Cloud Gate” sculpture in New York City. Created by the same artist as Chicago’s design, British-Indian sculptor, Anish Kapoor, and his team unveiled an NYC version of Cloud Gate yesterday in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood.
You’ll also notice a big difference as the new Leonard Street Bean is squished beneath a towering building. The new design is smaller than the original Chicago sculpture which first opened in 2006. It weighs just 40 tons compared to Chicago’s 100 tons.
Anish Kapoor’s New Bean Sculpture At 56 Leonard Street (Jenga Building) In Tribeca pic.twitter.com/3c53afBW87
— Noel Y. Calingasan • NYC (@nyclovesnyc) February 1, 2023
As NYC’s suspension system differs from Chicago’s this new design was installed with tension cables, and the Leonard Street Bean is able to expand and contract to shift in temperatures and sway in the wind. Chicago, on the other hand, has an unwavering sculpture.
The Leonard Street Bean, which was just unveiled, has been in the works since 2018 but got delayed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. A naming ceremony is scheduled for the spring.
Address: 56 Leonard Street (the corner of Church Street and Leonard Street)