20 Stellar Street Art Installations

Kiran Umapathy
Jul 05, 2013

Clever street art always make me smile. Whether it beautifies the existing urban landscape, encourages participation from passersby or is making a political statement, it’s sure as heck an improvement over graffiti tagging. Here are 20 of my favorites from around the world, some of which I’ve been lucky enough to experience in real life.

1. Little People: London’s Slinkachu creates miniature scenes of tiny people with everyday items. It makes me think about all the things we might see if we stop to pay attention once in a while.

2. Wall Not Found: A proposed wall piece from UK-based John Scarratt that also doubles as a clever advertisement. That 404 error page has made us all cringe before, but it’s also pretty funny.

3. Muhammad Ali vs. Street Fighter: Combo the Culture Kidnapper took an iconic photo of Cassius Clay knocking out Sonny Liston and substituted Ryu from the Street Fighter video game series. This wall is in Paris and conjures up memories of playing video games as a kid.

4. Fremont Troll: This troll statue is located under a bridge in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. It was created by four local artists in 1990 and has become a popular stop for visitors ever since. In case you were wondering, the troll is clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle as if it had been swiped from the bridge above. (Photo by seattle.about.com)

5. Almost Invisible Boxes: Culver City, California commissioned artist Joshua Callaghan to make nine utility boxes seem as if they weren’t really there by printing vinyl images on the boxes of what each one is obstructing. No word on whether bird ER visits are at an all-time high.

6. 3-D Street Art: Talented is the artist that can create the perception of depth on a two dimensional surface. This example hails from Berlin, but there are many many more all over the world.

7. Piano Staircase: Volkswagen and the Fun Theory teamed up in Stockholm to encourage people to be a little more active. They installed a piano staircase that plays notes beside an escalator to demonstrate how making something more fun can change behavior. (Photo by K.G. Vogelius)

8. Yarn Bombing: This public art form of covering objects in colorful yarn is native to the Netherlands and has since gained great popularity all over the world (this particular bus is in China). Hopefully, you have yarn bombers in your city too. For more on this cozy trend, check out our roundup of 15 awesome yarn bombs.

9. Before I Die: A simple installation that begs the question of what you want to do before kicking the bucket. New Orleans artist Candy Chan is said to have started the idea after losing a loved one. I love how these encourage participation and get us to think about how we’d really like to be spending our time.

10. Trampoline Road: There’s no room for this in a crowded city, but it’s still awesome that Russian architects built a 51 meter trampoline road. It’d be impossible not to be happy if you were hopping around on this everyday.

11. Space Invaders: Remember the classic arcade game Space Invaders? French artist Invader is kinda obsessed and has traveled the world leaving behind characters on mosaic tiles. Many cities even have maps so you can find them all.

12. Reverse Graffiti: If you can’t draw or paint on a surface, can someone stop you from cleaning a surface to create an image? Reverse graffiti is just that. Street artist Alexandre Orion is famous for his work in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

13. Teacup Balcony: An amazing use of architecture in Tokyo to turn this corner into something special. Tea time on these balconies whilst reading Haruki Murakami would be epic.

14. Bench-Eating Shark: The bench in Bangkok makes for the perfect funny photo op. I’m seeking this out if I’m ever in Thailand again.

15. Parking Spot Reminders: We need more parking spots that encourage friendly behavior. It can only help, right?

16. Crown Fountain: Chicago’s Millennium Park has an interactive video sculpture that spouts water onto visitors on hot summer days. Although controversial at first (it is like someone is spitting on you), it has endeared itself over time. (Photo by BrianI on Panoramio)

17. Giant Lego Bridge: California has LegoLand, but Germany has a bridge made to look like interlocking pieces of Lego. My hat goes off to street artist Megx.

18. Umbrella Art: A street in Portugal is decorated with colorful umbrellas for an art festival. Besides bringing instant smiles, it provides shelter from the sun.

19. Like This Post: Clever street art doesn’t have to be expensive or done by an obscenely talented artist. Stuff like this still makes me chuckle.

20. Banksy GIFs: No street art roundup would be complete without Banksy, but have you seen these animated GIFS from Made by ABVH? I love how they bring a little motion to Banksy’s pieces.

Have a few faves of your own? Help us add to the list in the comments below!

The Art of Traveling: The 11 Cities in America With the Best Street Art

Street art has undergone something of an image makeover in recent decades. What was once considered a sign of disrespect to a neighborhood is now (rightfully) celebrated as a cultural touchstone of art and identity. Best of all? It’s free: "Art for art’s sake," to quote Oscar Wilde, in the truest sense of the word. A spectacular backdrop for your selfies also makes a pretty great souvenir from your trip. Another bonus? Plane tickets might not even be necessary — you may be surprised to discover some of these flourishing artistic communities right in your very own backyard. So get ready to pound the pavement and wander down hidden passageways, and read on for the best cities in the country to visit for street art.
Houston, TX: Houston is undergoing an artistic renaissance, and it’s happening right on the streets. Take the mother-son street art pair, Donkee Boy and Donkee Mom. Only a few years ago, they found it was too hard to make a living as artists in Houston, so they moved to LA. Now, they’ve moved back to discover there are now so many murals in Houston. The city is more supportive of street artists, and its streets and buildings vibrantly reflect that payoff. Just follow the pair on Instagram for a snapshot of Houston’s thriving street art scene @donkeeboy and @donkeemom. (Photo via Alex Roman)
Reno, NV: Reno is home to one of the most underrated art scenes in the country — including the exhibits on display at the Nevada Museum of Art. Book a Public Art Tour with Art Spot Reno (motto: “More Art Everywhere”); if you're stuck at your desk, you can follow them on Instagram @ArtSpotReno to get a sense of the innovative, large-scale street art popping up on every corner. The art is consistently imaginative and boundary-pushing, which is perhaps unsurprising considering Reno is the nearest metropolis to Black Rock City, home of Burning Man. (Photo via Art Spot Reno)
Detroit, MI: It shouldn’t come as a shock that the famously resilient Music City (also known as the home of Motown) also boasts a lively and expressive street art scene. Many of the messages skew toward moral and social justice: Just check out the recent Bright Walls mural festival (or follow their Instagram @Bright_Walls). (Photo via Bright Walls)
New York City, NY: Naturally NYC would be on this list. Of the concrete jungle’s many visual attractions, we’re partial to "I Feel You Baby" in the West Village and the street murals along Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. Another favorite comes courtesy of one of our favorite Instagrammers, Arianna Margulis of @ButLikeMaybe, who collaborated with Planned Parenthood on a mural in the East Village. The best thing about New York is that there’s always something new and exciting waiting to be painted right around the corner. It is the city that never sleeps, after all. (Photo via Ben Gabbe/Getty)
Miami, FL: The exciting street murals in Miami would suggest local artists are up "all night in the streets until the break of dawn" (if you'll forgive the Will Smith reference), and you wouldn’t be wrong. Book a trip to Miami and stay at Life House, where you can connect to other guests via opt-in social media network. (All the better to show off your latest #OOTD in front of a downtown mural.) (Photo via Joe Raedle/Getty)
Austin, TX: We all know that famous "I Love You So Much" mural that gets so much circulation on Instagram. But we’d venture that many would be surprised to realize it wasn’t in New York or LA, but Austin, Texas. The arts culture is just one of the many things that “Keep Austin Weird,” and if you also love live music and food trucks, it’s high time you book your ticket to this trendy city in Texas Hill Country ASAP. (Photo via Robin Marchant/Getty)

Los Angeles, CA: The City of Angels is another must-visit for street art, particularly in the hippie-centric neighborhood of Venice Beach (though, of course, those in the know often now claim Silver Lake as the intellectual/creative LA hotspot). This street art culture is as integral to the "LA renaissance" as Mulholland Distilling, LA’s first spirits brand established post-Prohibition. A can of spray paint (or a paintbrush) and a shot of whiskey make for an iconic pairing. (Photo via Kevork Djansezian/Getty)

Honolulu, HI: The land of double rainbows and world wonders is also home to some man-made spectacles as well — we’re talking about the street murals, of course. Art lovers should be saying aloha and mahalo to Honolulu: this city on the island of Oahu is a spot for aesthetes of all kinds to appreciate the vibrant colors and energy of the Hawaiian culture, rendered in painted form. If you doubt us, just check out the imagery associated with the POW! WOW! festival. (Photo via Education Images/UIG/Getty)
Chicago, IL: The hometown of Kanye West and Chance the Rapper is a hotbed of creativity. But the city’s output is not limited to (insanely talented) rappers. The street art murals that have popped up around the city in recent years often contain political messages as well, illustrating that the resistance is here — and painted upon your neighbors' walls. (Photo via Scott Olson/Getty)
Dallas, TX: Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes street art. Perhaps the influx of creativity in the state's street art scene is reflective of the state embracing artists more, but whatever the reason, the murals in Dallas often speak to our larger condition as a nation. When the current state of affairs is too wild for even the Wild Wild West (last Will Smith reference, we promise), then we certainly have some reflecting to do. And what better way to discuss the nation’s problems and opportunities than via art of the people, by the people, and for the people? Long may street art reign in the USA. (Photo via Martyn Goodacre/Getty)
San Francisco, CA: Among the cable cars and steep hills of San Francisco, you can find amazing street art of all kinds hidden throughout the city. You'll see rainbows in the Castro, dragons in Chinatown, worldly murals in the Mission, and so much more. Just wear good walking shoes if you're planning on art-spotting by foot; SF's hills are no joke, but the views are worth it. (Photo via Federica Grassi/Getty)

What are your favorite cities for street art? Tag us in your go-to spots on Instagram.

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“Protective” Peter Gallagher Is “So Grateful” Mischa Barton Survived “Toxic Fame”

No matter what kind of day you're having, Marissa Cooper's having a worse one. Mischa Barton's The O.C. character went through the ringer during the first three seasons of the teen drama (remember how she overdosed in Tijuana...and also saw her parents post-hookup after their divorce?).

And during her time on The O.C., Mischa Barton struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. She was arrested for a DUI in 2007 and eventually received involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in 2009 after allegedly threatening to end her own life. And in a new interview, Peter Gallagher (who played Sandy Cohen on the show) says he's "just so grateful" for "the fact that she’s still alive."

  • Mischa Barton starred alongside Peter Gallagher in The O.C. from 2003-2006.
  • The actress has revealed the "trauma" of being a star at that point in her life.
  • Peter recently opened up about how he's thankful "she’s still alive."


Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for FLC/John Lamparski/Getty Images

The O.C. follows Ryan Atwood, who moves in with the Cohens after getting kicked out of his mom's house, and starts a relationship with Marissa shortly after. While Peter Gallagher played Adam Brody's TV dad instead of Mischa's, Sandy was a definitely father figure for Marissa, and it seems like Peter felt that same responsibility off camera.

"I’ve always felt very protective of her," Peter told The Independent. "First fame is toxic. First fame can kill you. She was 16 years old when she started working with us, so just the fact that she’s still alive, I’m just so grateful."

“You can go to therapy every day for the rest of your life,” Mischa said in a 2023 interview with The Sunday Times. “There’s just a certain amount of trauma [from] all that I went through, particularly in my early twenties, that just doesn’t go away overnight.”

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage revealed that season 1 overdose not only served as a cliffhanger, but gave “network executives an escape hatch on a performer they had been wary about” (via People). But Mischa Barton got her big break, becoming "how people knew the show," and (thankfully) Marissa recovered — only to die after a car crash in season 3.

As hard as that season 3 ending is to watch, Mischa did have the opportunity to watch it with Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke for the first time on their rewatch podcast. "It needed to be a thing, after everything she's been through, but if it's here I'll watch it with you," Mischa says.

"I couldn't do it, Mischa, I couldn't do it," Rachel adds. "But I'm going to do it if you're going to do it."

Mischa says even though being written off the show "was a little bit of a bummer," it wasn't necessarily a surprise. "The character was just doing too much," she told Vanity Fairin 2023. "And I think they ran out of places for her to go. It was not the best thing in the world, [but] there wasn’t much you could do at that point. It was whether she could sail off into the sunset, or die. At that point, I guess it’s better to have the more dramatic ending.”
What did you think of The O.C. season 3 finale? Let us know on Facebook!
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Banksy’s Newest Art Depicts Apple’s Steve Jobs like You’ve Never Seen Him Before

Notoriously talented and mysterious street artist Banksy has never been one to stray from sharing his thoughts on controversial topics via a can of spraypaint. His past works have depicted scenes like a pair of English policemen sharing a kiss and a white dove flying in a bulletproof vest. So it should come as no surprise that amidst the trending discussions surrounding the refugee crisis, Banksy decided to chime – er, paint – in. And in typical Banksy fashion, he did so in a big way.

The UK-based artist recently shared a new piece of work on his site which portrays Apple’s iconic Steve Jobs as a refugee. Jobs’s name tends to come up in refugee-related discussions because the wildly successful co-founder of Apple is also the son of a Syrian migrant. Jobs’ father Abdul Fattah Jandali moved to the US in the 1950s from Homs because of civil unrest.

The Banksy piece is located on a wall in France’s infamous Calais refugee camp commonly referred to as “the jungle.” The camp, which is located near French ports and the Eurotunnel (which connects to the UK), is currently flooded with an estimated 3,000 refugees. Since 2014, there have been 39,000 documented attempts to cross the Channel – many of which were made by people residing here.

In a rare occurrence, Banksy also released a statement to accompany the new piece. He writes, “Apple is the world’s most profitable company, it pays over $7bn (£4.6bn) a year in taxes – and it only exists because they allowed in a young man from Homs.”

Which Banksy piece speaks to you most? Tweet us your pick @britandco.

(Photos via Banksy and Tim Mosenfelder/Getty)

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See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Dreamy Halloween Costume: "My Forever"

Former Disney Channel star Dylan Sprouse and model Barbara Palvin are certainly living the sweet life after tying the knot in Palvin's native Hungary. The couple, who have been together for nearly five years, have always been pretty low-key — except for the occasional and undeniably adorable Instagram post (and a stunning wedding!). We are simply ~obsessed~ with this celebrity couple, especially after they pulled out all the stops for their couple's Halloween costume. Keep scrolling to see some of their best moments :').

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Halloween Couple's Costume!

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For Halloween Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin stunned as the Phantom and Christine from Phantom of the Opera. Dylan wore a mask and a black cape, while Barbara wore a beautiful white dress. While the costume is obviously a nod to the musical, it also totally reminds us of their day as bride and groom.

"In Sleep He Sang to Me," Barbara said in a post, quoting the musical's titular number. "@dylansprouse my forever Phantom."

Who did Dylan Sprouse marry?

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On the couple's wedding day (July 15, 2023), Barbara wore a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown to celebrate her Hungarian nuptials, bringing together their nearest and dearest for an intimate(-ish) celebration. Barbara and Dylan tied the knot on her parent's property, which conveniently doubles as an event venue, with plans to host an larger wedding in California in the fall.

"This past weekend was supposed to be an intimate event, but we ended up having 115 guests in the end because there are a lot of people we care about, and we wanted them all to be there," Barbara told Vogue.

When did Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin get engaged?

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Barbara Palvin on Instagram: "♥️"

After months of speculation surrounding the couple's engagement, Dylan and Barbara confirmed their engagement in conversation with Sprouse's twin brother, actor Cole Sprouse, for V Magazine in June, sharing that they got engaged last September.

"We didn't necessarily feel the need to be fully transparent with the public about that aspect of our engagement," Dylan said. "What we wanted to do with Stephen [Gan, V editor-in-chief] and the V team is make something that was kind of tongue-in-cheek about the nature of private versus public. We're playing with the idea of perception."

Barbara noted that the lovebirds wanted to announce the news "on our time," adding, "When some people leaked the information that we got engaged, our PR team was like, 'Hey, so you guys should do maybe a post about it or talk to this magazine or talk to that magazine…' That really annoyed me because I knew we were building this story up. So, I'm very happy that we ended up doing it our way."

When did Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse start dating?

Sean Zanni / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Dreamy Halloween Costume: "My Forever"

According to People, the couple met back in 2017 after a party when the Suite Life On Deck star slid into the model’s DMs (and as they say, the rest is history). The duo made their relationship Instagram official back in 2018 with Barbara’s sweet birthday tribute for Dylan’s 26th birthday.

Let’s be real here for a second though, we all knew they were endgame the minute Dylan went above and beyond to support Barbara at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show that same year (remember this viral video?). Three days after the fashion show, the Hungarian model told Vogue Australia that she hadn’t had a boyfriend in six years, but had now found “the perfect guy” in Dylan (we aren’t crying, you are).

How old are Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse?

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Barbara Palvin was born on October 8, 1993, making her 31 years old. Dylan Sprouse was born on August 4, 1992, meaning he's 32 years old. So there's only a one-year age gap between them!

Stay up to date with all of Brit + Co's favorite celebrity relationships. Let us know your thoughts on Twitter!

This post has been updated.

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Elle & Dakota Fanning Will Collab On Apple's 'Margo's Got Money Troubles'

2017's The Beguiled gave us one of the best groups of people of all time: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Sofia Coppola, and Kirsten Dunst just to name a few. And we're finally getting an Elle and Nicole reunion thanks to Apple TV+! "THRILLED to bring @rufithorpe genius hysterical heart-wrenching heartwarming book to your TV screens alongside a dream group of people!" Elle says on Instagram. Rather than having to test the success of its pilot, the series has already been ordered — even though the book it's based on isn't even out yet! Here's everything you need to know about the series.

  • Dakota and Elle Fanning will produce the upcoming Apple TV+ show Margo's Got Money Troubles.
  • The series follows Margo, who signs up for OnlyFans after learning she's pregnant.
  • The cast includes Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman.

Who's in the Margo's Got Money Troubles cast?

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Margo's Got Money Troubles Cast

We couldn't contain our excitement when we learned Margo's Got Money Troubles will star Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, but knowing Michelle Pfeiffer is also joining the cast is too much to bear! This is the first time the actress will collaborate with her husband, TV creator David E. Kelley, so we can't wait to see the magic they'll create (via Deadline).

Nick Offerman from The Last of Us and Parks and Rec will also star.

When is Margo's Got Money Troubles coming out?

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Margo's Got Money Troubles Release Date

We don't have an official release date for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV show yet. I'm thinking if the TV show is in the early stages of planning, we could see it in 2025! Check out all of this year's best New TV Shows to hold you over until then.

What is Margo's Got Money Troubles about?

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Margo's Got Money Troubles Plot

Margo Millet is the daughter of a Hooter's waitress named Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and an ex-wrestler (via Deadline). She's always had to make it on her own, even though she's not sure how. When she enrolls in her local junior college, she's totally unprepared to get swept up into a torrid love affair with her English professor — or to get pregnant.

Now at 20 years old, Margo needs an income and fast. She decides to experiment with OnlyFans and ends up taking some of her estranged father's advice from the world of wrestling to create a character users will fall in love with. You can order the book now!

What is Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's new TV show?

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Margo's Got Money Troubles is coming soon to Apple TV+ thanks to a bunch of different producers. A24 is backing the film, as well as Elle and Dakota Fanning’s production company Lewellen Pictures and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films, to name a few.

What else has Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in?

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Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in 2017's The Beguiled. The movie follows John McBurney, an injured Union soldier, who winds up at a female Southern boarding school after deserting the Civil War. But soon, as the women help him, tensions turn to rivalries and friends turn to enemies.

Are you excited for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV reunion? Let us know what other New TV Shows you're watching in the comments.

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This post has been updated.

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