Running with the Sunset

desert sun

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Street Artist Mantra Turns Buildings into Gigantic Butterfly Specimen Cases

France-based street artist Mantra ( Instagram ) transforms multi-story buildings into gigantic butterfly specimen cases in a series of clever, trick-of-the-eye 3D murals. The enormous, hyper-realistic butterflies appear to be set within wooden-framed boxes, recessed into the side of each building. Long shadows and subtle details, which suggest a transparent glass surface, create a convincing level of depth that helps to enforce the head-turning optical illusions.

Mantra’s ( Facebook ) illusory murals don’t end with butterflies either; he’s also painted cats, birds, and reptiles, as well as other insects, such as moths, beetles, and (in one instance) a monstrous spider, creeping out from a “crack” in the side of an apartment block. Thanks My Modern Met

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