Why should art remain cooped up in museums? Art should be seen by as many people as possible, so as to inspire as many viewers as it can. Public art is the act of erecting intriguing, usually extravagant pieces of art in places of high population. From paintings and sculptures to art made of lights, public art helps to beautify cities and please all those who travel through. Below are nine of the most amazing pieces of public art ever constructed.

I See What You Mean

(images via mikaelgreanery)

This massive sculpture represents a blue bear peering into an office building’s window. This bear could quite possibly be one of the biggest distractions for those working on the floor he is staring into! The sculpture stands 40 feet high at the Colorado Convention Center and is quite a popular area piece.

Device to Root Out Evil

(images via uzhik, canada, centrecitytalk, horuskol)

Entitled “A Device to Root Out Evil,” this piece of artwork stands as an upside-down church in Glenbrow, Canada. The church used to be displayed in Vancouver (as shown in the first image), but controversy over it blocking the ocean view of where it stood caused it to be shipped out. The design is rather controversial, yet it remains a beautiful piece of captivating public art, and complaints about it in it’s new location have remained minimum.

Co2LED

(images via: inhabitat, utexas)

The environmentally friendly solar-art piece, “Co2LED” no longer stands where it once did in Arlington, Texas. The piece was once a field of 522 bright, solar powered LED lights. These LEDs would charge in the sun all day, and then illuminate the night once the sun went down. The best part of the entire project? Once it was torn down, the entire piece was recycled so as not to waste a single piece!

The New York City Waterfalls

(images via: artdaily, gizmodo)

Presented by the Public Art Fund, the New York City waterfalls are man-made pieces of art that recreart the look of waterfalls around the East River. The waterfalls themselves are designed to look like scaffolding, which is a common look for the city. Perhaps the most beautiful waterfall is erected under the Brooklyn bridge and creates the illusion that the water is flowing out of the bridge itself! Visitors to New York can now take boat tours around the river to view all of the waterfalls up close.

Cloud Gate

(images via: iceman9294, gallagher)

Inspired by the look of Liquid Mercury, artist Anish Kapoor created his public sculpture “Cloud Gate.” The sculpture is made of high polished stainless steel, and it’s mirror finish reflects the city’s skyline like a giant fun house mirror! Currently, this popular sculpture sits as the center piece of AT&T Plaza in Milennium Park, Chicago Illinois.

The Urban River

(images via funfever)

The Urban River is a one kilometer long stretch of road painted bright blue to give off the appearance of a river in the middle of a city! The blue road was constructed using 4,000 lieters of paint, and was created in memorium of an actual river that once flowed trough it’s location. All along the road, in eight meter high letters, “Water Is Life” is written so as to be read from the sky. The sight is quite beautiful and inspiring to drive along!

Bill Fitz Gibbons Artwork

(images via billfitzgibbons, justinparr)

Prominent street artist Bill Fitz-Gibbons specializes in creating neon-light displays in urban areas. Mundane overpasses come to life with vibrant colors that turn everyday concrete structures into gorgeous works of art. The effect is make possible by large light projectors that cast the light at just such an angle as to reflect as you see it.

Jeff Koon’s “Puppy”

(images via jeffkoons)

“Puppy” is a curious and innovative piece by Jeff Koons. The sculpture is made of living flowers on top of wood and stainless steel. Perhaps the most intriguing part of piece is that it features an internal irrigation system to keep the beautiful flowers alive. Puppy is a truly original and breathtaking piece of public art.

In the hopeful years following the Second World War, armed with new technologies and vivid imaginations, almost anything seemed possible to a society straining to break free from the cycle of earthly strife. Science fiction writers and visionary artists of the aborning Space Age applied their talents to picturing a grand future beyond the wild blue yonder. Some things they got right – others, not so much. These 15 examples highlight these visions of retrofuturistic space flight and the dreams of what could be including, of course, some classic babes in space.

To Infinity…

(image via: Dark Roasted Blend)

“Atomic Avenue #1” (above) by Glen Orbik captures the spirit of brash optimism that subsumes so much of retrofuturistic space vision. Having beaten the Great Depression and emerging triumphant from World War II, it seemed the only place to go was up.

Science Friction is the Depiction

(images via: Futurphonic and TV Talkin)

Science fiction & fantasy magazines, the illustrated pulp fiction of the age, sparked the imaginations of a generation. One of the most daring was Startling Stories, which published 99 issues from 1939 through 1955. Peppering sci-fi with sex has always been the key to a young geek’s heart and Startling Stories did much to make space spicy.

(image via: The Crotchety Old Fan)

Censorship was rife in the red-scared Fifties and sci-fi gave artists justification for showing more skin than they could in other genres. With so many scantily clad futuristic females on display, one might assume the future was either wilder or warmer – maybe both!

Cover My World

(image via: The Crotchety Old Fan)

Satellite Science Fiction was another Golden Age sci-fi pulp magazine that leaned towards hard science illustrations for its covers. The large image above explores a tantalizing prospect: hollowing out asteroids to serve as gigantic spaceships.

Man Will Conquer Space Soon!

(image via: Liefcon)

Collier’s magazine published a series of illustrated articles from 1952 to 1954 which described our supposed space-traveling future in brilliant technicolor. The combination of respected scientists such as Wernher von Braun, Willy Ley and Fred Whipple with dynamic illustrators including the amazing Chesley Bonestell was a potent mix. It is said that the Collier’s series was hugely influential, priming the public for NASA’s upcoming manned missions.

(image via: The Ugly Spaceship)

The Collier’s series proceeded logically from the building of an orbital space station, to a lunar landing and then a great leap forward to Mars. Ten space ships constructed in orbit using 950 ferry flights to supply the building materials would make the 2-year voyage to the Red Planet. Fifty men (sorry gals) would descend to the Martian surface, the spearhead of a mission to colonize the fourth planet from the sun!

One Man’s Art, Mankind’s Vision

(images via: The Crotchety Old Fan and Hour 25 Online)

Chesley Bonestell lived for nearly a hundred years, from 1888 to 1986, but it seems his mind was centuries ahead. Perhaps the most famous science illustrator of the 20th century, Bonestell’s works portrayed a heroic new age of space exploration without resorting to wild exaggeration – or stunning space damsels.

Adventures In Space

(image via: Modern Mechanix)

Willy Ley was the Carl Sagan of his day, tirelessly popularizing space exploration and bringing his vision to the public at large. Having left Nazi Germany for the USA in the mid-1930s, Ley spent much of the next three decades publishing a multitude of often lavishly illustrated magazine articles and books on what mankind’s future in space would be like.

Russian to a Brighter Future

(image via: Defense Intelligence Agency)

Soviet Russia: an intellectual wasteland characterized by crushing cold, drab colors and omnipresent fear… or was it? The former USSR had its problems but its space program was second to, well, ours.

(image via: Dark Roasted Blend)

It may seem strange that the CCCP’s rigid, Stalinist society permitted its citizens freedom of imagination, but popular space magazines such as TM (Teknika Molodezhi) were in fact allowed to publish scenes of planetary exploration under the stars… red stars, of course.

The Sky is Blue, The East is Red

(image via: WIRED Blog)

China is a major player in today’s space race and the land that invented gunpowder, fireworks and rockets has always had its eyes fixed upwards. Chinese space art is predictive of reality while retaining a certain charm, as can be seen in the images above.

The Good Old Days of Space Travel

(image via: Ackermann)

Retro-futurism is more than just preserved pie in the sky, it’s a genre with more than a few devoted advocates across the globe. Enough to have a calendar even. The 2009 Visions From The Past “kalender” provides plenty of fuel for one’s retro rockets.

Rising from the Ashes

(image via: Retro-futurismus)

Klaus Bürgle, one of Germany’s premier science fiction artists, gave his shell-shocked nation new hope for a better future through his energetic compositions. “Raumstation I”, above, dates from 1949 and illustrates Bürgle’s honed scientific mind at its keenest.

Space Battleship Yamato

(image via: Space Battleship Yamato)

Japan also emerged from the war with a forward-looking point of view, though you might not think so watching Space Battleship Yamato. Re-dubbed for English-speaking audiences as Starblazers, the vintage 1970s show features classic Japanese animation and the somewhat disturbing vision of Japan’s sunken WWII battle-wagon restored, re-floated and reborn as an intergalactic peacekeeper.

The real Yamato was, along with its sister ship the Musashi, the largest battleship ever built. Weighing 70,000 tons, the Yamato was fitted with nine 18-inch guns that could lob an explosive shell 25 miles. The ship looked much the same in its anime reincarnation as Space Battleship Yamato, except for the flying through space part. As seen above, some dude loves the show so much he had the ship tattooed on his back!

Here’s the Video opening to Season 2 of the Space Battleship Yamato series, complete with militaristic theme music:

Why So Sirius?

(image via: Dark Roasted Blend)

Steven Thomas thinks space shouldn’t be taken so siriusly. Er, seriously. To that end, he’s created some very cool space travel posters modeled on classic travel agency art. Above are posters extolling Mars (left) and Europa, Jupiter’s mysterious “cue ball” moon.

There’s a certain comfort, perhaps borne from familiarity in these retrofuturistic depictions. It may be that when confronted with The Great Unknown that is outer space and the uncertain prospects lurking on planets other than our own, the human mind grasps for something, anything it can use to put the whole experience into perspective. Cold comfort to be sure, cool it shall be!

Universal Serial Bus is quite possibly the most diverse and wide ranging technological innovation of the computer era! From simple I/O device control to missile control devices (well, toy ones anyway), USB has opened up a world of innovation and creativity. Here is a list of ten of the craziest USB devices!

George Foreman Grill

(image via thinkgeek)

How many time have you been sitting at your desk, working on various to-do’s and had a craving for some good home cooked barbecue? Well no longer will you have to make the difficult decision between work and burgers! With the George Foreman USB grill you can grill up a feast without ever leaving the office!

Hamster Wheel

(image via iwantoneofthose)

Cute and entertaining, this hamster wheel spins when you plug it into your USB port! Sometime you may feel like you’re running on a hamster wheel, going nowhere fast working at your desk. This USB toy is a great way to make a sarcastic remark on the feeling of being in the rat (or hamster) race. Or maybe you don’t feel that way at all, maybe you just cant bring your  pets to work. Let this little guy keep you company as you run through the maze of corporate life!

Plasma Ball

(image via iwantoneofthose)

Bring the science museum to your desk top with this USB Plasma Ball, plug it in, touch the surface stand amazed as the mesmerizing green plasma flows to your fingertips! These electricity balls are super entertaining, especially for kids! If you happen to work at a school, day care, or just have some youngsters of our own, you will find that they will be amused for a long time playing with these plasma balls!

Missile Launcher

(image via thinkgeek)

Protect your desk from screaming kids, nagging bosses or gossipy co-workers with this USB missile defense array! Included software allows you to man the cannons, aim and fire at targets of your wrath! Imagine the possibilities of rigging scourges of these things all over your office with some carefully placed USB hubs! It might not be the most productive project in the world, but it’ll make for a fun way to waste time during the work day!

Turn Table

(image via firebox)

Ever wish you could transfer all those old vinyls you have lying around to your computer? Well now with the help of this USB turn table, you can back up every last record to your computer and iPod! Get the Led out old school style, because after all, nothing sounds as good as original vinyl!

Batteries

(image via firebox)

Quite possibly the most useful item on the list,these batteries can be charged via USB and used in any standard AA battery-powered device. The ultimate gadget for the always-on-the-go, these can be charged at public computers, lap tops, even X-BOX 360s. Slick and convenient, these batteries will be your best friend when your camera runs out of juice and you just happen to have your laptop available to juice them back up! Never buy batteries again, carry these USB batteries and stay charged!

Guitar

(image via thinkgeek)

This USB guitar hooks directly to your computer and communicates with included software, allowing you to record music directly to your computer! No complex plug adapters, no quality-stripping microphone rigs, just direct music from the guitar’s pick-ups to your hard drive! The software even includes effects modeling kits that will give your music he sound of a British stack, a blues tube head, a wah, a flange, and much more! Never before has portable music recording been so easy!

USB Lock

(image via ashframe)

Ultimate security for your USB drive! Software security can be cracked, but this drive is physically blocked from being used unless you possess the key! You may be thinking “well, what if someone tried to break the lock?” Not so fast! Doing so would necessarily destroy the drive and its contents! Feel like a secrete agent carrying top secrete files by making this USB lock your choice for your storage needs.

USB Food Drives

(image via valvo)

Tired of boring, common USB drives? Check out the collection of food drives from Vavolo! Express your love for your favorite snack with your storage device and get a smile from everyone who sees you plug it in. Great for conversation starters or just to wear on your keychain, these food drives are a must have if you are in the market for a new storage device.

Teddy Bear

(image via engadget)

This sick and twisted USB drive appeals to the teddy bear sadist in us all. Guaranteed to scare kids and repulse sensitive adults, this portable drive gives the illusion that the bear has its head jammed into the computer’s USB port. Humor and mass storage combined make an excellent combination!

Whether you’re a coffee drinker or tea drinker, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: The mug you use to drink your beverage of choice is just as important as the brand you like, the amount of milk and sugar you take, and your favorite biscuits to go with your drink. To take you away from the boredom of everyday mugs, and to provide some additional options for the newly addicted, here’s a collection of mugs that are unique and practical at the same time.

MyCuppa Mug -Tea and Coffee

(source: amazon)

This mug is useful on so many levels. Whether you have just started drinking coffee and need a guide to help you try different versions before you pick one, or you’re just not that good at measuring ratios and don’t want to bring out the measuring cups every time you make coffee, this mug is there to help you. This mug also makes a great gift for someone else because after all, it’s not just a mug, it’s a guarantee that you’ll never get their coffee wrong again.

Skase Teacup Set

(source: steve watson)

The concept behind the Skase teacup set is as beautiful as the resulting product. Watson describes his creation as based on the idea of symbiosis, i.e., just because two different elements have had a prolonged association, that doesn’t mean they necessarily benefit each other. Applying that concept to the relationship between a (flat-based) teacup and a saucer, Watson has removed both the flat base and the saucer while giving the cup a unique design without taking away the balance and stability.

Dunk Mug with Biscuit Holder

(sources: gadgets, firebox)

Drinking coffee or tea should never be a hassle. Who wants to bother with saucers and plates, laying out biscuits, and so on? With this dunk mug, you dont have to worry. No more handling extra saucers or dealing with boxes of biscotti, or even extra washing. The idea is so clever, and though not revolutionary, so utterly simple and useful that you have to wonder, why didn’t anyone think of it before?

Crinkle Cups by Robert Brandt

(source: generate design)

The concept for these cups isn’t entirely new. Take something disposable, redo it in something reusable and voila you have a coffee cup that also serves as a pop art conversation piece. However, the crinkle cups concept from Robert Brandt is not only one of the designs that started this trend, but to this day remains one of the best realization of the concept. First introduced in 1975, the cups are still popular both for drinking water, wine, and espressos, but are also equally popular for making a statement about our disposable culture.

Alcatraz Replica Mug

(source: golden gate national parks conservancy store)

These tin cups were used in prisoners’ cells and dining halls for the simple reasons that they are both durable, and unlike ceramic cups (which can be broken and made into weapons), these are largely safe for a closed environment containing large numbers of people with violent tendencies. If you like this replica mug, you should also check out our collection of ‘jail hotels‘ where as the name suggests, you pay to be in prison!

Amazing Self-Stirring Coffee Mug

(source: stirring mug)

The self-stirring coffee mug really is awesome. All you do is pour in the coffee, add the cream and sugar, and press a button. Voila! Now need for a spoon or a stirring stick, the mug does the job for you, which also means less washing for you.

I Am Not A Paper Cup

(source: design milk)

‘I am not a paper cup, I promise!’ says this mug, but on the surface, it’s hard to believe. However, if you look deeper, you’ll see that this mug, made with two layers of porcelain that keeps your coffee warm and your hands protected from the hot beverage, and a silicone cap that is flexible and reusable, is really quite fantastic. Not only that, but you can also make the difference, environmentally, with all the paper cups, plastic caps, and cup holders you’re going avoid.

Stacked Coffee Mugs

(source: what on earth)

Love your triple espresso but don’t want to keep refilling? This stack of three coffee mug is just the thing you need. The mug holds 8 oz. and is just the kind of thing that will get the conversation going and help your high tea stand out from the others.

Global Warming Mug

(source: philosophers’ guild)

Many people can’t really get their day going until they’ve had their morning cup of coffee. Why not drink that morning power-up from a mug that is both cool to observe, and thought-provoking at the same time? As you pour the hot coffee into the mug, you can see exactly what the world will look like if we continue to abuse our planet and the polar ice caps melt. Check it out in action!

On-Off Mug

(source: swissmiss)

This mug, covered with heat sensitive pigment, changes from black to white (or vice versa) depending on whether it’s full or not, and how full it is. Furthermore, it also shows ‘on’ or ‘off’ as you fill it, or gulp the coffee/tea down. This, of course, comes in handy in preventing spills as you can tell which mugs on the table are full and which are empty. However, since the pigment is activated by heat, don’t expect it to work at room temperature.

Bonus: The Pessimist’s Mug

(source: demotivators)

The pessimist’s mug can be used as a reminder to yourself to stay optimistic, or given as a gag gift to your favorite Debbie Downer. Whether you use it as a joke or for personal development, the mug can be powerful in its otherwise humorous message.

(images via: Banksy.co.uk and Art of the State and Brighton Arts Blog)

Say what you will about the legality and morality of graffiti; it is difficult to argue that it is not at times real art. The care and forethought that goes into some graffiti and street art is apparent. Banksy is an artist who has risen to a strangely anonymous brand of fame with his graffiti, most of which involves stenciling. But there are many sides to this elusive culture-jamming artist, and his drawings, which are seen by far fewer people, are just as provocative as his large outdoor pieces. Some of his earliest works are still debated while others have become collectors items sold at up to six-figure prices. This is part two of our eight-part guide to Banksy Art and Graffiti.

(images via: InventorSpot and Onzin and Wooster Collective)

Even if Banksy hung up his spray paint cans and stencils forever today, he would always be known first and foremost as a graffiti artist. When he began as a lad in Bristol, his creative artwork graced the sides of buildings near his home. Now Banksy originals can be seen on walls all around the world. One of his most famous pieces was of a nude man hanging by one hand from a window as a jealous husband scans the street and a guilty wife stands by. The artwork went up on a wall in Bristol near the City Council office. When the city asked the public whether the mural should stay or go, an overwhelming 97% said that they wanted to see it stay. The city agreed and the mural was not removed.

(images via: Wikimedia and That Canadian Girl and BBC and Duncan Cumming)

Because street art is usually considered a crime, artists have to work quickly. One of the best ways to do that is to use custom stencils. You do most of the work ahead of time by creating the stencils, then when you get to the site of your future art, you simply hold the stencils up and spray away. This is the style of art that’s most often associated with Banksy. Some of them are simple and probably went up very quickly. Others are quite complex and involve several layers and many colors.

Never let it be said that the reclusive street artist doesn’t play well with others. In May of 2008, Banksy was involved with other street artists from around the world in The Cans Festival. The three-day art extravaganza saw artists flocking to an underpass on Leake Street in London, armed with stencils and spray cans and a desire to cover every available surface with art. (And this time, they had permission.)

Banksy’s talent and his message extend from urban art into the more traditional paper-and-pencil territory, as well. Although it’s somewhat rare to find a Banksy drawing, the few available examples all convey his signature observant-but-not-preachy style of subversion.

The multi-talented artist has been keeping us entertained for a decade, but from a distance. Now that Banksy is gaining popularity all over the world, how will his art speak to his newly-formed fan base? And how will the artist handle his crumbling sense of anonymity? It seems unavoidable that his identity will eventually be revealed to the public (and some would say it already has). Until then, we can continue to search the city walls for that prized quarry: the original Banksy. Banksy Part 1: Who is the Infamous Street Artist Banksy?