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When Millennium Park opened in 2004, the iron welds of Cloud Gate were already in sight, but it wasn’t until May 15, 2006 — 13 years ago Wednesday — that the reflective sculpture, known to most as The Bean, was officially dedicated to the park.

In an interview with the Tribune after its dedication, Cloud Gate sculptor Anish Kapoor said the idea behind his design was to create a shape that would lead viewers to the vortex underneath it. Kapoor said he hadn’t imagined the sculpture having a nickname until he saw it completed.

The artist also said he was surprised by the view that was ultimately reflected by the sculpture.

“I always knew we’d have views of the city, but I didn’t know how powerful it would be,” Kapoor said.

The Bean is 66 feet long, 33 feet high and weighs 110 tons. Its mirroring steel attracts millions of visitors each year, no matter the season.

Take a look back at the sculpture’s first 13 years, as seen through Tribune photographers’ lenses.

The construction of Cloud Gate in Millennium Park.
The construction of Cloud Gate in Millennium Park.
Sculptor and metalworker Vince Darring, tethered to scaffolding, makes his way across the top of Cloud Gate, created by Anish Kapoor, during the final polishing on April 28, 2005.
Sculptor and metalworker Vince Darring, tethered to scaffolding, makes his way across the top of Cloud Gate, created by Anish Kapoor, during the final polishing on April 28, 2005.
Millennium Park sculpture Cloud Gate is partly exposed as workers do a polishing operation on May 27, 2005.
Millennium Park sculpture Cloud Gate is partly exposed as workers do a polishing operation on May 27, 2005.
Artist Anish Kapoor talks to reporters on May 15, 2006, at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, that he designed and created in Millennium Park.
Artist Anish Kapoor talks to reporters on May 15, 2006, at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, that he designed and created in Millennium Park.
The Michigan Avenue streetscape is reflected on The Bean in Millennium Park on May 19, 2008.
The Michigan Avenue streetscape is reflected on The Bean in Millennium Park on May 19, 2008.
Millennium Park's Cloud Gate, popularly known as The Bean, reflects the deep blue winter sky as dusk turns into night on Dec 29, 2009.
Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate, popularly known as The Bean, reflects the deep blue winter sky as dusk turns into night on Dec 29, 2009.
Icicles hang from Cloud Gate as Jay Ing of Chicago walks through Millennium Park on Feb. 2, 2011.
Icicles hang from Cloud Gate as Jay Ing of Chicago walks through Millennium Park on Feb. 2, 2011.
Collaboraction dancers and members of the public explore Luminous Field, a light installation by artists Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero, in the snow on opening night at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park on Feb. 10, 2012.
Collaboraction dancers and members of the public explore Luminous Field, a light installation by artists Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero, in the snow on opening night at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park on Feb. 10, 2012.
Cloud Gate reflects the Chicago skyline on July 3, 2014.
Cloud Gate reflects the Chicago skyline on July 3, 2014.
The normally popular Cloud Gate sculpture sits nearly deserted with a crown of ice as temperatures hang in the low single digits on Jan. 8, 2015.
The normally popular Cloud Gate sculpture sits nearly deserted with a crown of ice as temperatures hang in the low single digits on Jan. 8, 2015.
People take photographs at The Bean in Chicago's Millennium Park on June 14, 2015.
People take photographs at The Bean in Chicago’s Millennium Park on June 14, 2015.
Tourists crowd around Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate, otherwise known as The Bean, in Millennium Park on Aug. 12, 2015.
Tourists crowd around Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, otherwise known as The Bean, in Millennium Park on Aug. 12, 2015.
Cloud Gate is reflected in a puddle on Aug. 26, 2016.
Cloud Gate is reflected in a puddle on Aug. 26, 2016.
Throngs of Chicagoans and visitors enjoy the sights and sounds near Cloud Gate on May 18, 2016.
Throngs of Chicagoans and visitors enjoy the sights and sounds near Cloud Gate on May 18, 2016.
Cloud Gate as viewed from the rooftop pool at the MILA apartments tower on July 27, 2016.
Cloud Gate as viewed from the rooftop pool at the MILA apartments tower on July 27, 2016.
Visitors mill about Cloud Gate at Millennium Park in Chicago on Aug. 17, 2016.
Visitors mill about Cloud Gate at Millennium Park in Chicago on Aug. 17, 2016.