Junior-sized 'Bean' debuts in Big Apple

NY version of Chicago's Bean sculpture
People pose and take pictures against the reflective sculpture and permanent public artwork by artist Anish Kapoor in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, NY, February 2, 2023. Measuring 48ft-long and 19ft-tall, the artwork is integrated into the building and is a collaboration with the Herzog & de Meuron architectural firm. Photo credit (Photo by Anthony Behar/Sipa USA)

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- New York City has unveiled its own, smaller version of Chicago's iconic “Bean” sculpture.

So, now Chicago is not the only city with a Bean.

Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey says cities copy each other all the time.

"Cities do this. They borrow from each other. Usually, though, concepts."

He says seeing scaled-down versions of what was in another city is unusual.

Bey says Chicago’s Bean – technically, titled “Cloud Gate” -- is in its proper element at Millennium Park.

"With that shape and the reflection, it needs to be free,” he tells WBBM NEWSRADIO. “It needs to be out in the open. And to have it stuffed underneath a building in New York, it's a little strange. It's a little strange."

In New York, the reflective orb rests under a corner of a luxury tower, perhaps giving the illusion it is supporting the structure.

"Interesting approach, but I couldn't help coming away thinking ours is still better," Bey says.

Some have been calling the new sculpture the "half bean” because of its smaller size.

Vertical view of New York 'Bean' sculpture
View of the reflective sculpture and permanent public artwork by artist Anish Kapoor in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, NY, February 2, 2023. Measuring 48ft-long and 19ft-tall, the artwork is integrated into the building and is a collaboration with the Herzog & de Meuron architectural firm. Photo credit Photo by Anthony Behar/Sipa USA

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Featured Image Photo Credit: (Photo by Anthony Behar/Sipa USA)