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Public Artwork and  The History of the Famous Chicago ‘Bean’

Public artwork is captivating and often holds layers of unspoken meaning behind every detail of its creation. Communicating through art is one of the most effective ways to spread a message and make an impact.

When you think of iconic public art displays, the famous Chicago Cloud Gate or more commonly referred to as ‘The Bean’ should come to mind. It’s been featured in countless films and serves as a city symbol, drawing attention daily from locals and tourists alike. It is one of the most photographed attractions for anyone living in or visiting Chicago. Why is it so special and what is the history behind it?

That’s what we’ll be exploring in more detail.

Exploring the Public Artwork of Cloud Gate

In 2004, 30 different artists pitched their design proposals to city government officials, but Sir Anish Kapoor won the opportunity to create the now-famous art structure, Cloud Gate. Located in Millennium Park along The Magnificent Mile — one of the most historic downtown areas of Chicago, you’ll see the impressive construction of public art. 

Inspired by the remarkable downtown Chicago skyline, Sir Anish Kapoor wanted to create a structure that would enhance and depict its unique beauty. People are drawn to its impressive size and wide-scale reflection from all angles. As a magical showpiece sculpture, one of its unique features is that it allows anyone photographing others to be in the photo with them. 

Why Is It Called ‘The Bean’?

Although it was not meant to look like a bean, it is shaped like one nonetheless and most people know it by this reference. However, its original intention was to resemble a rounded gate due to its curved shape that not only reflects the sky but also bends downward.

The artist also found inspiration for this project from the element of liquid mercury and wanted it to resemble the same reflective properties. By doing so, he made this public art display substantially unique and unlike any other global public art display. Visitors are able to touch the structure and interact with it up close experiencing its reflective qualities. The lower curvature of the structure allows visitors to walk underneath ‘The Bean’ and explore more warped and reflective space. Although it is a massive artwork, it appears as lightweight as a cloud. 

More Fun Facts:

  • The stainless steel exterior is seamlessly welded to appear as a single piece of material
  • It is 66 feet long, 42 feet wide and 33 feet high
  • The surface is still safe to touch during the hottest summer day

Chicago Isn’t the Same Without It

Although, it’s been less than 20 years since its reveal, ‘The Bean’ branded Chicago unlike any other pre-existing work of public art. Cloud Gate should serve as a powerful reminder to any aspiring artist of the potential your concept may serve a city or local community. It’s a must-see landmark that is inextricably associated with Chicago. Making that a reality is highly impressive and something that teaches the importance of public artwork. 

EG Structural Supports Better Diversity in the Arts

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design sculpture pieces that highlight their exceptionalism. 

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece or if you have questions about being more involved in public art, contact EG Structural today!

Captivating Public Art Installations Around the World

When you hear the words “public art,” you probably think of one of two things. First, historical landmarks commemorating a certain person or event that took place in your community. Or, you might picture big conceptual sculpture pieces that leave a lot to the imagination. Maybe you think of both? And you’d actually be right. But, art can take many different shapes and sizes to captivate the communities in which they’re located. 

Whether you’re a community space or a company, we believe you have a story. At EG Structural, it is our mission to bring it to life. We’re founded on the principle that functional public art can exhibit the incredible identity behind the communities and commercial properties where they stand. Read our article below to learn about the many installations that are gracing their communities. 

Public Art in Phoenix, Arizona: Her Secret Is Patience

If you visit downtown Phoenix, you might find yourself at Civic Space Park where Janet Echelman’s Her Secret is Patience flies overhead. Often described as a giant jellyfish, the public art installation is a 100-foot tall sculpture made of high-tech netting suspended above the park. 

According to Arizona Republic art critic, Richard Nilsen, “The poles and guy wires disappear against the night sky and the jellyfish itself burns with the light that shines on it, revealing the colors that were lost against the brightness of the daytime sky. It loses all the sagging weight of daytime and instead floats weightless above the park, a ball of transcendence.”

Public Art With a Purpose

Non-Violence, or The Knotted Gun, was created by Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd and installed next to the United Nations in New York City. Reuterswärd created the sculpture piece after the assassination of John Lennon. It is an oversized Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver with its muzzle tied in a knot. It’s meant to symbolize an end to gun violence and enrich the consciousness of humanity by advocating for peace. 

Reuterswärd’s sculpture is an excellent example of how art can have a powerful message that resonates for years to come.

Fearless in New York City

Positioned in front of the famous Charging Bull statue within New York City’s Financial District. The statue represents a defiant, unapologetic statement against gender inequality.

European sculptor Kristen Visbal was commissioned to build the statue by investment firm State Street Global Advisors. The idea behind it was to put pressure on 787 all-male boards into adding more female members. Since its installation, it’s become a cultural icon that has been featured in countless publications, broadcasts, and more.

EG Structural is Proud to Create Large Scale Public Art

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design an open-air sculpture piece that highlights their exceptionality. 

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece, contact EG Structural today and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible!

Empower Your Community With Public Art

Whether you’re interested in public art or not, it’s hard to ignore its effects on your community. It provides a high level of engagement for residents and tourists alike, not to mention it can be a powerful beautifying tool for public spaces. 

Whether you’re a community space or a company, we believe you have a story. At EG Structural, it is our mission to bring it to life. We’re founded on the principle that functional public art can exhibit the incredible identity behind the communities and commercial properties where they stand. Read our article below to learn how art can play an important role in enriching our communities.  

Public Art Promotes Interaction in Public Spaces

Public spaces provide many opportunities for people to meet and welcome their neighbors. One way city planners, architects, and city administrators are promoting social interaction is by creating spaces that offer a welcoming environment they can engage in. Oftentimes this involves enlisting the assistance of a public artist to collaborate with architects, landscape architects, engineers, and city planners in designing public spaces that resonate with the community.

Look at public art installations like The Cloud Gate in Chicago or the LOVE sculpture in Philadelphia. These installations are highly interactive in the fact that they attract locals and tourists to engage with them. If you ever visit these incredible sculpture pieces, you’ll see thousands of people a day taking photos of the art, tour guides explaining their meaning, and admiring its sheer magnificence. 

Public Art Has a Way of Connecting With The Youth

Another way public art installations play a critical role in our community’s empowerment is by connecting with the youth. Art has a way of engaging with them. In fact, it allows them to feel as though they are meaningful contributors in the social and economic aspects of community buildings.

An added benefit to this is how it brings more adults into the picture. Research in civic engagement by the League of Women Voters shows the factor most likely to get people more involved in their community is how it would improve conditions for the youth. 

Public Art is for Everyone

It comes as no surprise that public art is designed to be for everyone. It should be easily accessible to almost all community members and passersby. It enables people to experience art in their daily lives and drives people to engage with it. According to Americans for the Arts, it even encourages people to pay attention and perceive their environment more deeply. It’s also worth noting that public art stimulates learning and thoughts about our society and what it means to be a part of a community.

Collaboration Builds Stronger Art and Communities

An additional benefit to how public art empowers communities is how it promotes collaboration. When designing a public art piece, it typically involves the artist collaborating with many community members throughout the project’s development. This includes meeting with city officials, various architects, and holding town hall meetings with residents to gauge the level of interest towards ideas.

As a result, it builds a sense of shared ownership and collective connection to the sculpture piece. It becomes more than just a piece of art, it becomes a community energizer, something the community can feel proud to have. 

EG Structural Builds Art Installations That Resonate With Communities

EG Structural develops public art that embodies a community and attracts individuals to the landmark. Moreover, our work will grab the attention of out-of-towners and generate a new source of tourism dollars. We have a passion for public art, and fully believe it can set your city apart from the rest. Contact EG Structural today to learn how our founder and artist, Eric Garcia can help beautify your city.

What Goes Into Making Exciting Sculpture Pieces?

Being a part of the public art process is one of the most exciting, rewarding things an artist can do. It helps beautify and unite communities by developing sculpture pieces that represent the soul of a city. 

At EG Structural, we’ve assisted municipalities in developing large-scale art sculptures that become a part of their beautification plan and a part of their identity. Here is what we’ve seen with the projects that we’ve been a part of. Read our blog post below to learn what exactly goes into creating these large-scale art pieces.

Figuring Out What Sculpture Pieces You Might Want

The first step on your public art journey is figuring out what exactly you want. When we work with clients, we typically ask them questions about what they had in mind. Then we conduct our own research about their community to understand the true soul of their identity. Additionally, it’s important to figure out what kinds of goals you want to achieve with these sculpture pieces. 

Such as:

  • Do you want to develop a gathering place?
  • Create easily understandable wayfinding signs?
  • Construct intricate street furniture (i.e. benches, tables, tree grates)?

Whatever you decide, you must provide your public artist with as much information as possible. This way we can determine the full scope of what you’re looking for and create something truly unique to your community.

Where Do You Want to Place Your Sculpture Pieces?

Another important part of the public art process is determining where you’d like to place your art. Where will the art make the most impact in your community? 

You never want to place it in an area that’s less frequently visited or an area where it’d be hard to see. You want to choose a spot that will synergize with the art to efficiently resonate with pedestrians. 

Some sites you may consider include:

  • A major entryway into your neighborhood
  • A well-lit area of your park
  • A new community center 
  • An up-and-coming or revitalized area
  • A bus stop or light rail station

The possibilities are endless. Going back to figuring out what you might be looking for, it would be good to let your public artist know the location you have in mind. This way they can determine the appropriate sizing and consider lighting when conceptualizing ideas for your sculpture pieces. 

Determine the Budget and Secure Funding

Money is what makes the world go round, and that’s very true when it comes to public art. Depending on the scope of your project, you can expect to spend big even on what you deem “simple projects”. That’s why before you even get started working with a public artist, you need to determine the budget you have to work with. Oftentimes, this involves a tremendous amount of research on your end. Then once you have the budget set, it’s important to figure out where the money will be coming from.

The Creative Process Begins…

Once everything has been set, we begin developing sculpture pieces based on everything you’ve provided. We will use your input on what you’re looking for to begin the creative process. During our initial discussions, we’ll inform you on how we manage the creative process such as conceptual designs, research, mock-ups, and software designs.

Once we have approval on the design, we’ll inform you of the companies we’ve worked with, where custom fabrication comes into play, and how we’ll bring all the pieces together to create your private art commissions. Once everything is forged, we’ll work with you to discuss how sculpture pieces will be installed on your property without creating a dysfunctional environment.

EG Structural Creates Sculpture Pieces That Beautify Communities

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design an open-air sculpture piece that highlights their exceptionality. 

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece, contact EG Structural today and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible!

Our Guide to Quality Private Art Commissions

From hotels, parks, retailers, office spaces, and so much more, public art installations are attracting people from all walks of life. It beautifies their surroundings and piques the interests of curious onlookers and art enthusiasts. This has resulted in a surge of interest in businesses partnering with public artists on private art commissions that resonate with the public. 

At EG Structural, we work directly with businesses to create sculpture pieces that resonate with the public. Our work has generated a lot of buzz for the communities they’re located in and we couldn’t be more proud. Read our blog post below to learn how to begin your journey in private art commissions.

Understand What Private Art Commissions Are 

Art commissions have had a very special place in our history. From the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo to Anish Kapoor and Janet Echelman, commissions have had a prominent role in the public art world. 

Private art commissions are simply a way for artists to make money through their creative vision. Anybody can hire an artist as long as they’re open for commissions. It’s important to note that not every artist will charge the same rate and many are fairly restrictive in what projects they take. 

Once you find a public artist you like, what’s next?

Provide a Clear Overview of What You’re Looking For

Clients often think the idea of commissioning an artist to work on their installation is intimidating. That’s why it’s our role to guide you through our process to ensure you understand the ins and outs of how everything will work. Forbes perfectly describes the information we share with you upon initial discussions:

  • Contract: All commissions are done under contract and will include basic terms like payment structure, visual references, reproduction and exhibition rights, etc.
  • Prices: We’ll clearly outline our prices for work and break them down based on size and/or style. We will also apply applicable sales tax and shipping costs.
  • Timeline: We’ll discuss a timeline that works for you and add it to the contract details. Additionally, we’ll talk about payment schedules, deadlines for receiving materials, previews, shipping options, and an overall time estimate.
  • Creative Process: We will use your input on what you’re looking for to begin the creative process. During our initial discussions, we’ll inform you on how we manage the creative process such as conceptual designs, research, mock-ups, and software designs.
  • Construction: We’ll inform you of the companies we’ve worked with, where custom fabrication comes into play, and how we’ll bring all the pieces together to create your private art commissions.
  • Installation: We’ll work with you to discuss how sculpture pieces will be installed on your property without creating a dysfunctional environment.

Give Us As Many Details About the Piece You Want 

This will give us a clear idea of what you’re looking for and help us during the creative process. Depending on what you’re looking for, our founder and creative artist, Eric Garcia, will develop concepts based on your information. Additionally, by providing us with specific details, we can avoid any misunderstandings and wasted time in creating private art commissions that are not up to your vision. 

EG Structural is Open for Private Art Commissions

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design an open-air sculpture piece that highlights their exceptionality. 

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece, contact EG Structural today and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible!

3 Nifty Trends We’re Seeing in Public Art

The world is facing a huge shift in interest towards works of public art. Cities are erecting monuments that engage their community and attract people from all walks of life to catch a glimpse of the work. It’s become so popular that many city planners and landscape architects are making it a point to add sculpture pieces and other art attractions to their projects. There are many exciting trends we’re seeing around the world and we wanted to highlight a few below.

At EG Structural, we believe art brings people together. A well-designed piece can bring out what is truly unique about your city and generate a lot of interest from enthusiasts from out of town. The trends that we are seeing are just a fraction of the cool projects that are out there. 

Constructing Public Art With Recycled Materials

Being eco-friendly is not an idea limited to large corporations, energy grids, and electric vehicles; it’s also popping up in the art world. In fact, many artists are using repurposed materials to construct city landmarks that make one’s community truly stand out.

This type of public art can be extremely beneficial for cities looking to become greener. Constructing a landmark using recycled materials and/or other environmentally-friendly materials can act as the exclamation point towards your cause. Additionally, eco-friendly sculpture pieces are an incredible way to attract long-distance travelers. 

For example, there’s a giant roadrunner sculpture outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico constructed entirely of thrown-out items like shoes, cell phones, bike parts, and other materials. Located beside a rest stop area, it’s become a landmark for travelers to take a break and take photos with the 20 feet tall sculpture.

Public Art Creates Public Participation

Public art plays an invaluable role in community building by expressing and supporting a sense of culture and identity. One aspect of creating art for public spaces is how artists are enabling residents to have an active role in the design and construction stages to be more reflective of the community at large. 

Artists allow for varied participation, including public engagement in planning, selection, creation, installation, maintenance, and collective appreciation. Doing so results in a shared experience of creation and interaction that creates community cohesion and amplifies the sense of ownership towards a particular sculpture piece. Another reason public participation is becoming a vital part of the public art process is budgeting. With many municipality budgets spread thin, it’s good to gauge how supportive your community is of public art programs and investments.

Preserve the Past Through Public Art Installations

Another trend we’re seeing public artists get involved in is preserving relics of a community’s past. History is an important part of city identity and culture, so many are looking for ways to beautify landmarks of their past. 

One example of this is the City of Bellingham, WA, and its pulp and tissue mill. According to Darby Cowles, Senior Planner with Planning and Community Development, “Throughout the waterfront planning process, community members and other stakeholders have expressed an interest in retaining relevant or representative structures and artifacts to authentically represent the industrial character of the site and help tell the story of the historic pulp and tissue mills, which operated there.”

As a result, the city set a budget of $130,000 from the city’s Percent for Arts Program to construct an “acid ball.” The Acid Ball was part of the former Georgia Pacific pulp and tissue mill operations, which stopped operations in 2007. The ball was used as a relief system to maintain constant pressure while wood chips are cooked in sulfurous acid. Today, it’s been repurposed as a public art landmark to highlight the town’s industrial roots.

EG Structural Creates Custom Sculpture Pieces That Resonate

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. For over 25 years, Eric Garcia has provided strong conceptual design to develop timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design a sculpture that highlights their exceptionality. 


Contact EG Structural today to learn how we can brighten your organization with public art.

What is Custom Fabrication?

Metal fabrication is a broad term that encompasses the entire process of building anything from raw metal materials. This means everything from cutting and shaping to the final assembly. But, to create a piece that meets your structural needs, you need custom fabrication services to truly make it your own. 

EG Structural is looking to change how people perceive public art by creating incredible art installations and brand identities that excite the public. However, our mission would amount to nothing without the strong expertise of the custom fabrication professionals we partner with. Read our blog post below to learn what exactly they do and how they play an important role in the public art community. 

What Do Custom Fabrication Professionals Do?

Metal fabrication contractors use manual tools alongside machinery to create metal objects or structures by bending, cutting, and assembling various metal materials. They work very closely with their clients on what they are looking for and determining the best course of action in how to achieve their vision.  When working on our projects, custom fabrication experts will examine our conceptual designs and strategically figure out what needs to be done to craft its shape and scale. 

What Can You Create with Custom Fabrication?

We’re not exaggerating when saying that they can pretty much create anything. Whether you’re looking to build beautiful railings for your staircase or construction equipment parts for your project, they are proficient at the job. They’ll be able to stretch metal materials to meet the dimensions of your project. Additionally, they can use sectional metals such as I-beams, Z shapes, hollow structural sections, and bars and rods for each unique project. 

8 Steps in the Custom Fabrication Process

According to Reinke & Schomann, Inc., the average metal fabrication expert will encompass some or all of the following steps in their project.

  1. Cutting
  2. Forming
  3. Welding
  4. Machining
  5. Punching
  6. Shearing
  7. Stamping
  8. Casting

The process may seem strenuous, but it’s a very important process that ensures your structure takes shape. Without the expertise of fabrication professionals and their 8 step process, our works such as our Mesa Del Sol and Tulsa Route 66 signs would not be possible.

How to Choose a Fabricator

Choosing the right custom fabrication shop that will meet your project needs is probably the most important decision you can make. It can affect every aspect of projects like the manufacturing rate, production quality, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, it can even affect when the project will be completed. Some things to consider when bringing on a fabricator includes:

  • Experience: Just like with any job you need done, you want an experienced team working on your project. This will ensure you’re getting quality work that meets your standards.
  • Industries served: It’s also helpful to pick a custom fabrication team that is used to working in your industry or on projects of your scale. Some shops will specialize in one or two types of fabrication, while others may work with a wide variety of businesses.
  • Resources: Many fabrication shops use a variety of materials and tools to build incredible structures. When searching for the right team for your project, you may consider what materials, machinery, and tools they have on hand to get the job done.
  • Stock materials: Another important aspect to consider when choosing your fabrication shop is if they already have or can form the specific metal to your project needs. If they have a metal supplier, you may consider looking into them as well to check into their reputation.

EG Structural Works With Many Incredible Custom Fabrication Experts

EG Structural is fortunate to have partnered with several wonderful individuals to design public art that highlights their unique communities. We combine intense research, strong conceptual design, custom fabrication, and engineering expertise to develop landmarks that inspire engagement. We help build an identity that exhibits what it means to be a part of a community. 

Contact us today to learn about our expertise and how we can help boost your identity.

The Importance of Metal Fabrication in Large Scale Art

When it comes to large-scale art projects, many artists find themselves in need of custom metal fabrication. This is not anything new, as artists have partnered with fabricators for centuries to design, mold, and construct sculptures. While many people may assume it’s a one-man job, public art installations take a village and without expert fabricators, many famous landmarks would not enrich our communities. 

For over 25 years EG Structural has partnered with communities in the United States to construct timeless landmarks that embody the heart of the community. With the assistance of seasoned metal fabricators, we have designed and constructed remarkable relics that will stand the test of time. 

What Metal Fabrication Professionals Do

Metal fabricators provide expert support in bringing artists’ visions to life. They manipulate metal to meet the concept the artist has in mind. This often involves cutting, shaping, positioning, and aligning different metals to form the design. Additionally, they will understand how to assemble the project and ensure the structure’s parts are available and of high quality. 

Metal fabrication experts are there almost every step of the way. They attend development meetings, test for functionality, verify product dimensions, and maintain a production schedule. With their assistance, the artist’s vision is safely and accurately constructed for the public.

How Artists and Metal Fabrication Experts Synergize

Let’s be honest with ourselves, most artists aren’t engineering experts. They’re creative thinkers with wild imaginations and an eye for highlighting the uniqueness of a subject. But, when you combine the expertise of an artist and a metal fabricator, wonderful things happen.

Fabrication pushes the artist’s vision beyond the sheet of paper by supplying the equipment, space, and skills needed to bring sculpture pieces to life. Not to mention they can assist artists in conceptualization and provide an engineering perspective to design concepts. Also, fabricators give the artist more time to conceive and develop ideas for other projects.

One of the most common conversations artists and fabricators have is “How are we going to do?” One of the many benefits of partnering with a metal fabrication professional is their ability to problem-solve. When it comes to public art displays, there are constant hurdles one must overcome to ensure a successful installation. Making the engineering experience paramount in just about any large-scale art project. 

EG Structural Partners with Accomplished Metal Fabrication Experts

For over 25 years EG Structural has conceptualized and designed artistic renderings that have been brought to life due to the hard work of professional fabricators. We take pride in what we do, and it shows in the design, materials, and concepts used in each of our projects. We believe art has the power to bring people together and highlight what makes a city truly special, so why not use unique elements? Contact EG Structural today and learn how we can assist in your art installation.

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