Street Art Lives: 13 Installations that Interact with Nature

Jimi Hendrix with Lush Green Hair

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A conveniently located utility box proved to be the perfect surface upon which to paint a certain music legend’s face. Street artist Zoltron transformed the bush that surrounds the partially hidden box into a lush green mane.

Nature of the Zone by Isaac Cordal

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Little cement people wearing gas masks wander around an oversized world in this series by Isaac Cordal, interacting with plants and other elements in the urban landscape. “I make small sculptures with cement and many times when I go out these small sculptures come with me. Public space has become their habitat,” says Cordal.

Paintings in Tree Hollows

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Naturally framed by the bark around them, tree hollows become canvases in the hands of Chinese artist Wang Yue, who brings nature into the city in the form of forest creatures, landscapes and other scenes. Local officials have confirmed that the paints don’t harm the trees and will wash away over time.

Trees with Eyes by FilthyLuker

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‘Under Pressure’ is a series by artist FilthyLuker that modifies public spaces with the simplest of additions, like pairs of oversized googly eyes added to trees. The artist surreptitiously installed a pair next to an underwhelming Anish Kapoor sculpture in Brighton and they proved to be more interesting than the officially sanctioned exhibit.

The Legend of Giants by Natalia Rak

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A giant of a girl waters a nearby tree in this massive three-story mural by Natalia Rak, a beautiful example of street art interacting with its surroundings.

Moss Graffiti by Anna Garforth

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Living moss clings to urban surfaces in place of paint, spelling out messages or creating eye-catching patterns, in Anna Garforth’s ‘moss graffiti.’ Years of experimenting with the material have led to an incredible precision in the shapes and lettering that others have trouble recreating. Unlike actual paint, moss doesn’t permanently alter surfaces, and doesn’t involve fumes or toxic substances when it’s applied.