A bizarre hoax claiming a man is trapped inside Chicago’s iconic sculpture, The Bean, has taken social media by storm, leading to a mix of amusement and bewilderment among locals and visitors alike.
The hoax began on July 31 when a group of pranksters wearing all black, calling themselves The Man in Bean Coalition, gathered near the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park.
They brandished signs demanding the release of the purported man trapped in the structure, drawing attention from curious onlookers.
Videos of the unusual protest quickly spread across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, racking up thousands of shares.
One video, posted by Marisol Nuñez, captured the spectacle and its growing absurdity.
Nuñez noted her initial confusion about the protest, stating, “I started recording thinking it was something unusual worth capturing.”
Her video has since garnered over 300,000 likes and sparked over 3,500 comments, revealing the viral crack-up in real-time.
The coalition’s chants, calling for the “immediate release” of the man, included outrageous accusations against the sculpture’s artist, Anish Kapoor, claiming he had stolen a baby and hidden it inside The Bean—a statement that is patently ridiculous.
Despite the humorous take on reality, Ald. Brendan Reilly, who represents the area in which The Bean resides, stated unequivocally, “I am happy to confirm that a man has not been trapped inside ‘Cloud Gate’ (a.k.a ‘the Bean’) for the past 21 years.”
Reilly expressed that while he appreciates a light-hearted parody, the influx of concerned calls regarding the hoax has become a distraction from his office’s duties.
Karen Jessica Dorado, a souvenir shop worker near the park, remarked on the viral nature of the protest, referring to the videos she saw on TikTok as “hilarious” and noting the creativity behind the prank.
Curiosity about the supposed drama continues, as shop visitors have approached her for clarification on the claims being made.
Beneath the humor, some speculate that the prank serves as a commentary on modern journalism and misinformation in society.
Rob Adler, an acting coach at DePaul University, posited that if the demonstration is indeed a form of performance art, it could be highlighting the importance of journalism today.
He explained how the demonstrators are taking an easily verifiable situation and using it to illustrate how easily drama can be sparked over trivial matters.
“The question is: What is the art trying to do? … I could see, and I would hope, that the intention of this art is to do good,” Adler noted.
The Man in Bean Coalition has firmly chosen to remain anonymous.
In an email to Block Club, they stated, “We are not interested in drawing attention to ourselves as individuals.
We are a collective and the most important thing about us is our mission.”
The phenomenon recalls the Bird Aren’t Real conspiracy posters that surfaced in Chicago back in 2018, which also took an implausible theory at face value.
However, the coalition has distanced itself from that group, asserting, “They are a completely different group.
Birds are definitely real, and the man inside the Bean is real too.”
As the playful antics continue, visitors and locals alike are left wondering whether the riddle of the “trapped man” will fade or establish itself as an enduring legend associated with The Bean.
With a playful yet profound message about truth, expression, and the role of journalism, this unexpectedly engaging jest has made a significant impact in the city’s cultural landscape.
image source from：blockclubchicago
