A bizarre conspiracy theory has captivated Chicago this summer, as a mysterious collective called "Man in Bean" claims that a person has been trapped inside the famous Cloud Gate sculpture for over two decades. The group, which appeared on Instagram on July 28, is demanding the immediate release of an individual they allege has been imprisoned within Anish Kapoor's iconic artwork since 2004.
Cloud Gate, the 110-ton stainless steel sculpture created by British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor, has been one of Chicago's most popular attractions since its installation in Millennium Park between 2004 and 2006. The monumental piece, measuring 66 feet long and 33 feet high, is nicknamed "The Bean" due to its distinctive kidney-bean shape. Its polished, reflective surface mirrors the city skyline and clouds above, making it a favorite photo spot for millions of visitors.
On July 31, members of the Man in Bean collective staged a demonstration in front of the sculpture, armed with megaphones, flyers, and signs demanding the "immediate extraction of the prisoner." The group's Instagram page, which has attracted over 36,000 followers, presents what appears to be an elaborate surrealist performance. Their first post featured a pink pictogram showing a figure inside a bean shape with the caption "HE IS HERE."
The six young members of this self-described "non-violent collective" present themselves with stoic expressions in black-and-white photographs, wearing dark clothing and sunglasses. Without providing any evidence, they make shocking accusations against Kapoor. "In 2004, Anish Kapoor, the architect of the Bean, stole a baby and placed him inside," the group claims. "We demand the immediate release of the man trapped inside the Bean for 20 years."
According to their elaborate narrative, the alleged captive lives "in total isolation" behind a one-way mirror, with "ventilation and feeding tubes that allow him to live a miserable life inside the chrome structure." The collective insists that "when the sun hits the Bean in the right way, you can see the blurry silhouette of the man." They maintain their position with unwavering seriousness, stating, "This is a fact. We are not performative, we are not satirical, and we are not a meme. There is nothing funny about a man being held captive in a giant metal structure like Cloud Gate."
The hoax has generated such significant attention that Chicago's city council felt compelled to respond officially. City Councilman Brendan Reilly issued a statement categorically denying the claims: "There is no man trapped for 21 years inside Cloud Gate." While acknowledging that he appreciates "amusing parodies as much as anyone," Reilly noted that "this online hoax has resulted in a significant increase in calls to my office that prevent us from doing our work."
Despite official denials, the collective continues to insist on their version of events. In an interview with Time Out Chicago, they reiterated their stance, maintaining that their campaign is neither satirical nor performative. The group has organized multiple demonstrations and continues to post content on social media, treating their claims as legitimate fact rather than artistic commentary.
The controversy has attracted attention from various quarters, including Kapoor's artistic rival Stuart Semple. Semple, who previously clashed with Kapoor over the artist's exclusive rights to use Vantablack (formerly the blackest black ever created), seized the opportunity to create "AirBBean" – a parody website inspired by Airbnb. For ten dollars, visitors can purchase a fake "stay" in the bean with the mysterious "host," receiving a signed and numbered key to the bean along with jelly beans (bean-shaped candies).
Local businesses have also joined the spectacle. Lou Malnati's, a Chicago pizzeria chain, published a tongue-in-cheek statement claiming they have frequently delivered meals to the mysterious occupant, who is allegedly registered in their system as "Man in the Bean please free m" – the message apparently cut off mid-sentence, adding to the dramatic narrative.
This elaborate hoax bears similarities to a previous viral campaign from 2013 involving a New York sculpture. A fake documentary called "Man in a Cube" claimed that a 37-year-old man named Dave was voluntarily living inside Tony Rosenthal's "Alamo" sculpture (also known as the "Astor Place Cube") in Manhattan. That campaign was later revealed to be viral marketing for a meditation app.
The Man in Bean phenomenon also echoes actual artistic performances, such as French artist Abraham Poincheval's 2024 stunt where he had himself sealed inside a giant bottle on the banks of the Seine River for ten days. The line between hoax and art often blurs in contemporary culture, with viral campaigns and performance art increasingly overlapping in their methods and impact.
While Anish Kapoor himself has not commented on the allegations, the incident highlights how social media can amplify even the most outlandish claims. Whether the Man in Bean collective represents a sophisticated art project, an elaborate prank, or something else entirely, their campaign has successfully captured public attention and sparked conversations about the nature of truth, performance, and public art in the digital age.
