June 10, 2012 – (Above) What can only be described as a miniature replica of the Millennium Park sculpture commonly known as “The Bean,” on wheels, flying over the gap in the State Street Bridge Sunday morning. The bridge was raised for stunts performed for Conan O’Brien’s television show, taping this week in front of a live audience at the Chicago Theater. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., six objects were sent up the south end of the bridge – a giant hot dog, a miniature version of the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza, a fake cow, a small yellow car, The Bean, and finally a dummy on a scooter. The Picasso and the dummy did not make it, however. The Picasso may have struck the north lip of the bridge. The dummy appeared to veer too far right. Both landed in the Chicago River, where a police boat fished them out.

(Below) After falling to the river, what is left of the miniature Picasso is brought on board the police boat.

Video crews recorded the stunt from multiple angles, including the Wabash Avenue Bridge and both sides of the State Street Bridge. Chicago police and fire departments assisted with the stunts, which attracted hundreds of onlookers along Wacker Drive and from the Wabash bridge. O’Brien is in Chicago to kick off this year’s Just For Laughs comedy festival, sponsored by Turner Broadcasting System. (Left) The Bean lands on the north end of the bridge and rolls down to State Street in front of Smith & Wollensky.

(Above) A video crew and a Chicago Department of Transportation employee walk the fake cow back to an area (below) where items that made it across were stored.

Watch video of the cow jumping over the river…

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