Art rarely gets as gritty and real as this, particularly in a gallery, with rocks, earth and water running through simple doors, between white-walled rooms and under uniform interior lighting.

Olafur Eliasson, a Danish and Icelandic artist, created Riverbed as one of a series of installations for the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, challenging visitors to experience both museums and landscapes in new ways.

Meanwhile, the spaces become both intimate and perhaps uncomfortable as the earthwork slopes upward into ultimately-inaccessible areas.

The artist explains: “What I’m interested in with my work at the Louisiana isn’t really that you experience an object or an artwork. I am interested in how you connect this landscape to the rest of the world and ultimately, how you experience yourself within it.”

Traditional floor tiles slowly give way to a rugged landscape of stones and dirt, leading up to the sides of a real river inexplicably traversing the gallery interior.

Aside from other references, the work is a nod to the sculpture garden that used to sit in the same spaces where this section of interior galleries now stands.

“When we’re in our familiar surroundings, in our circle of family and friends, our senses are very finely tuned, but the further away we get from the local context, the cruder the sensing becomes. I wonder if our focus on the atmospheric can give us a relationship with something that is very abstract and far away.” (Images by Anders Sune Berg)

Superhero art is no longer confined to comic books and graphic novels. Breaking free from their two dimensional boundaries, superheroes are now the stars of their own art exhibits.

(Images via tattoolettering, damncoolpictures, damncoolpictures, buzzfeed, damncoolpictures)

Superheroes of one’s youth can have a huge influence. Whether the morality tales make ethics stronger, or the powers and action simply steer one towards being a geek, these super tales can have a lot of power. It’s natural, then, that adults would want to show off these influences in gorgeous tattoos. A permanent testament to something that helped shape their lives.

(Images via geektyrant, geektyrant, geektyrant)

These antique-looking superhero sculptures are the creation of the talented artist Calvin Ma. They look like figures straight out of a rickety farmhouse, but are actually just skillfully styled.

(Images via thatsgoodspam, jesseturri, apartmenttherapy, bumbumbum, thatsgoodspam, thinknice)

The artist Michael Myers has created a unique vision of his favorite superheroes, using clean lines and vintage sensibilities.

(Images via weburbanist, mymodernmet, weburbanist, pedestrian)

Photographer Ian Pool, based out of Toronto, creates fantastically mundane superhero art that brings these larger-than-life creations into the middle of hilariously contrasting modern life. Learn more about Ian Pool here.

(Images via blameitonthevoices, memebase, jokeroo, fandomania)

Superheroes aren’t the most common subject of sand sculptures, but these gritty visions are a great example of how integrated these characters have become in world culture.

(Images via artofdala, mymodernmet, arrestedmotion, emptykingdom)

Artist Andreas Englund expands on the trend of superheroes being placed in mundane settings and situations with his extensive portfolio encompassing scenes from the life of his own superhero.

(Images via myfunnyworld, email-junk, overhours, art-rickplayground)

Alexandre Nicolas’ beautiful fetus sculptures show the most famous superheroes as they’ve never been seen before. What would these heros have been like if they were born with their powers?

(Images via mymodernmet, costumepop, buzzfeed, designyoutrust, amnesiacarts)

Heroes: The Route of Exposure by Adrian Tranquilli elevates superheroes to a new level of sophistication. Want to leave the art gallery and see some real life superpowers? New York City was recently the scene of an amazing development in human flight.

Portrait artists all have their own ideas about what makes for a great portrait: something that glorifies the subject, something that shows it in harsh realistic detail, or something that reflects the essence of the subject. Others take all these options, and add one more: make it big. Whether for effect or out of necessity because of the size of the canvas, here are 10 of the most interesting and mind bogglingly large portraits:

(Images via zimbio, trickyrelativity, expect neglect, journallive)

Ron Mueck likes his portraits to be incredibly realistic, and big. He creates titanic pieces out of cutting edge materials that lend an eerie affect. His self portraits are detailed to the point that he includes stubble and the pores in their skin. Small wrinkles and incredible expressions make the subject feel like they’re viewing a giant, not a sculpture.

(Images via djdesign, shoutworldwide, timwilson, johntebeau)

Chuck Close is a phenomenon. With his hyper realistic and larger than life portraits, he forces the viewer to examine the subject in closer detail than they would ever in everyday life. Due to this close examination, the viewer ends up seeing the subject more than they would if they’d actually met in person. Chuck Close loves to experiment with his own style, but even after years, he hasn’t tired of portraiture.

(Images via behance)

Rems182 and Truly design have created a series of beautiful murals that incorporate with their environment. With the use of a paint roller, Rems182 is able to create emotionally stirring works that capture the essence of their subjects, and elevate the environment around them.

(Images via oberholtzer)

A Kenyan photographer has created a gigantic exhibition of his work that’s so large it’s hardly visible from the ground. The photographer has taken portrait shots of his subjects and blown them up to the point that low flying planes would get their own art show.

(Images via meathaus, livemakecreate, artnet, hyperrealism)

Evan Penny fell in with the hyper realism portraiture crowd, but he’s well known for exploring a different facet than most: he creates three dimensional portraits out of silicone and other high tech materials that are typically only seen on film sets. His creations are so lifelike, that if they weren’t hanging on the wall, one might accidentally strike up a conversation with one.

(Images via fighting ignorance, face2faceproject, yopeace, nabeelzeeshan)

The Face 2 Face Project is an attempt to help cool hostilities in the Israeli / Palestine conflict by showing both sides that the other are not the faceless enemy they’d like to believe. Artists take photos of people from both sides of the wall and then display them on the same wall that’s separating the groups, so both sides can still see the other.

(Images via noddit, telegraph, barackobama)

President Obama stirred a lot of sentiments with his speeches on the campaign trail, and his motto of “Hope.” Many artists took this to heart, and created portraits that reflected the size of his persona and influence. One such exhibit was so large that it can not be seen from ground level. This art is only for the clouds to see.

(Images via vocalmoon, woostercollective, kognitif, curbsandstoops)

The renowned artist Jorge Rodriguez Gerada has gained a worldwide reputation for his hyper realistic portraits created on some of the largest canvases possible – buildings. His murals manage to maintain quality despite an uneven work surface and a scale that doesn’t allow him to concentrate on anything but the smallest facial feature at a time.

(Images via mountshang, scandigital, swifttaxi)

Ancient cultures would often create works of art of such a grand scale that they make our typical pieces seem trivial in comparison. There are more modern artists who like to follow in these civilization’s footsteps, however, by carving their art out of an entire rock face. It is extremely difficult to see the big picture when your entire body is smaller than the nose of your art.

(Images via nokiaconversations, paddydonnelly, topartnews)

Portraits don’t just have to be painted, as a lot of innovative artists enjoy using unique, recycled materials for their art. The portraits featured here are made of discarded nokia phones, post it notes, and even paintbrushes.

Are comic books art? Do the aesthetic qualities of the artwork in a comic book outweigh the fact that it was drawn for commercial purposes, or vice versa? Can anything, no matter how beautiful it is, be considered art if it wasn’t created as art for art’s sake?

These are all good questions about the validity of comic books as art. Thankfully, we WON’T be answering them here — we’ll leave the debate to the experts. Because while the value of the art from comic book is often contested, artwork INSPIRED BY comic books and cartoons is art. And there’s no debating that.

Sketch My Portrait for a Nickel

(images via: ARTST.com)

You have to be a glutton for punishment if you get your caricature drawn at a carnival. Paying your hard earned money so someone can draw a grotesque version of you has tinges of masochism, doesn’t it? And
that’s because when you get your caricature drawn, you’re asking someone to point out all your flaws and your strange features and EXAGGERATE them.

While cartoon-inspired fine art is ages away from carny caricature, the common thread in both are these exaggerations. And nowhere are these exaggerations more pronounced than in cartoon-inspired portraits.

Pen… Paper… Action!

(images via: ARTST.com)

While many artists and critics look down on comic books, no one can deny that comics and cartoons have something incredibly special when it comes to action scenes. Years and years of super-heros have caused comic book artists to finely tune action sequences in a way fine art painters haven’t. When action is your bread and butter, it better be a baguette and Beurre De Baratte. Artwork inspired by comics and cartoons is no different — the brilliant way comic books depict action is part of the language with which these artists are using to speak.

Abstract ‘Toons

While you can’t really consider work with cartoons truly abstract, several artists who are inspired by the comics and cartoon mediums will use cartoon imagery to approach abstractions. And it’s in these works where artists INSPIRED BY comics and cartoons really start to shine, because it’s these works which most distinctly stand apart from the often mocked and looked down-upon comic book and cartoon source
material.

“All cartoon characters and fables must be exaggeration, caricatures.
It is the very nature of fantasy and fable.”
–Walt Disney

The legendary and mysterious artist, Banksy, has taken over the Bristol Museum for a stunning summer showing: Banksy vs. Bristol Museum. The exhibit opened on June 13, 2009 and ends on August 31, 2009. For those lucky enough to get there, admission to this unique exhibit is free.

Banksy has mixed more than 100 pieces of his own art into the museum’s existing collection. It is the largest showing of Banksy artwork ever and most of the artwork on display has never been shown before in the UK. Because Banksy doesn’t believe in copyright, visitors are welcome to take photos, and that is how we are able to share a glimpse of this exciting, one-of-a-kind event with you.

Welcome to Banksy vs. Bristol Museum

(images via: Banksy.co.uk, lar3)

A notice at the Banksy vs. Bristol Museum introduces Banksy as a local graffiti artist and states that the museum does not condone illegal activities, regardless of the artistic outcome. This special showing of Banksy’s artwork was arranged through an independent agency and the museum staff had no direct contact or communication with the artist. Before Banksy took over the museum, some of the historic relics normally on display were removed and replaced with reproductions.

Banksy Animatronics

(images via: snappycat, dandini, Opal Fruits, Walt Jabsco, Canis Major)

Much of Banksy’s recent work features animatronics. Human and animal models and items we think of as food have been brought to life by the artist, some might argue a little too realistically. A bunny in front of a makeup mirror files her nails, fishsticks swim in a fishbowl, a hot dog cools off and chicken nuggets are hatched and feed on dipping sauce. These pieces are unforgettable, thought-provoking originals.

Humor, Satire and Irony

(images via: Walt Jabsco, lar3, hauggen)

Banksy is a master of finding humor and absurdities in everyday life. He often uses ironic bits of reality to create artwork that makes us smile. Banksy thinks outside the canvas, even when he chooses it as his medium. His artwork cannot be confined within rectangle boundaries.

Banksy’s Message

(images via: snappycat, leoniewise, Walt Jabsco, purplemattfish, Walt Jabsco, bazzz)

Some pieces of Banksy artwork carry a clear message, while others are more subtle and subjective. Banksy often captivates by cleverly showcasing the absurdities and ironies of life and human existence. Often this type of art is thought provoking and leaves you to draw your own conclusions. A reminder that mom loves you no matter what is included in the exhibit, along with the messages that war hurts everyone, animals deserve to be treated humanely and we should all strive for peace and happiness.

Don’t Miss This Unique Banksy Showing

(images via: snappycat, Art of the State, Walt Jabsco)

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Although Banksy art can be found around the world, this special installation at the Bristol Museum is the largest collection to date to appear under one roof. Many Banksy fans in the U.K. have already traveled great distances and waited hours in line for the opportunity to see this exhibit. Rave reviews are pouring in and if you have the means to get there, this summer art show is something you will likely never forget.