Top 20 'Reality-Bending' Public Art Installations to visit for Mastering Forced Perspective on Instagram This Year - Goh Ling Yong
Hey, fellow creators and adventurers!
Ever scrolled through your Instagram feed and stumbled upon a photo that just... breaks your brain for a second? Someone holding the sun between their fingers, a friend casually leaning against the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or someone about to be eaten by a toy dinosaur that looks terrifyingly real. That, my friends, is the magic of forced perspective photography. It’s a simple, brilliant technique that plays with our perception of distance and scale to create mind-bending optical illusions. No Photoshop required—just you, your camera (or smartphone!), and a little bit of creative positioning.
Forced perspective turns the world into your personal movie set, where you’re the director of reality itself. It’s about seeing the potential in a scene and manipulating it to tell a new, impossible story. As photographers, we're always looking for ways to create images that stop the scroll and make people look twice. This technique is one of the most fun and accessible ways to do just that. It’s a visual language I’ve seen pros like Goh Ling Yong use to elevate a simple travel photo into a captivating narrative.
So, where do you find the best playgrounds for these reality-bending shenanigans? While you can create forced perspective anywhere, certain places are practically built for it. I’m talking about public art installations—sculptures and structures designed to interact with their environment and, more importantly, with you! We’ve scoured the globe to bring you the ultimate bucket list for mastering this craft. Get your passport and your camera ready; here are the top 20 public art installations to visit for next-level forced perspective photos this year.
1. Cloud Gate ("The Bean") - Chicago, USA
Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate," affectionately known as "The Bean," is more than just a sculpture; it's a warped mirror reflecting Chicago's iconic skyline and everyone who visits. Its seamless, polished stainless-steel surface distorts and multiplies everything around it, making it a dream location for photographers. The curved shape invites you to play with reflections in ways you never thought possible.
Walk beneath its 12-foot-high arch to the "omphalos," a concave chamber that warps and repeats your reflection into a dizzying vortex. This is where the real magic happens. The sculpture’s ability to bend both light and reality gives you a canvas for creating truly unique, abstract self-portraits and cityscapes.
- Photo Tip: Get low to the ground and shoot upwards into the omphalos to make it look like you're being pulled into another dimension. Or, stand a short distance away and use the convex surface to capture a fish-eye-like photo of yourself with the entire skyline squeezed in behind you.
2. The Leaning Tower of Pisa - Pisa, Italy
Let's start with the undisputed king of forced perspective clichés—and we say that with love! Holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a rite of passage for any traveler. The large, open green of the Piazza dei Miracoli gives you plenty of space to position yourself and your "model" to create the illusion.
While the "holding it up" or "pushing it over" shots are classics, don't be afraid to think outside the box. The key is the distance between your subject (in the foreground) and the tower (in the background). A small change in your position can dramatically alter the scale.
- Photo Tip: Instead of the classic pose, try one where it looks like you’re using the tower as an ice cream cone, a giant kickstand for your bike, or a microphone you're singing into. The more creative, the better!
3. Salar de Uyuni - Uyuni, Bolivia
Okay, this isn't a man-made installation, but Mother Nature's greatest art piece is the ultimate blank canvas for forced perspective. During the dry season, the world's largest salt flat becomes an endless expanse of white hexagonal tiles, completely devoid of any visual cues for depth. This lack of reference points makes it incredibly easy to manipulate scale.
Bring props! This is where you can have a T-Rex chase your friends, where you can cook your travel buddy in a frying pan, or emerge from a giant Pringles can. During the wet season (December to April), a thin layer of water transforms the flat into the world's largest mirror, creating breathtaking reflection shots that blur the line between sky and earth.
- Photo Tip: To nail the effect, use a small aperture (f/16 or higher) to keep both the foreground subject and the background elements in sharp focus. This sells the illusion that they are on the same plane.
4. Les Deux Plateaux (Buren's Columns) - Paris, France
Tucked away in the courtyard of the Palais Royal is Daniel Buren’s controversial but oh-so-photogenic installation. A grid of black-and-white striped columns of varying heights erupts from the ground, creating a surreal, graphic landscape. This is a playground for anyone who loves lines, patterns, and, of course, perspective.
The varying heights of the columns are a gift. You can make it look like you're a giant stepping from one to the other, or a tiny person sitting on a column that, in reality, is only a few inches tall. The stark black and white stripes also create a powerful visual background that makes any subject pop.
- Photo Tip: Have a friend stand on one of the taller columns in the background while you stand on a shorter one in the foreground. Position the camera just right, and it will look like you're the same height, standing on a perfectly level, striped field.
5. The Awakening - National Harbor, Maryland, USA
Imagine a 72-foot giant trying to claw its way out of the earth. That’s the stunning visual of J. Seward Johnson's "The Awakening." This five-part aluminum sculpture consists of a head, a hand, an arm, a knee, and a foot, all appearing to emerge from the sand. Each piece is an invitation for dramatic interaction.
The scale of the sculpture is immense, making it easy to look tiny in comparison. You can pose as if you're being grabbed by the giant hand, screaming from inside its mouth, or simply sitting on its knee for a casual chat. It's an incredibly dynamic piece that encourages you to become part of the art.
- Photo Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to exaggerate the scale even further. Get close to one part of the statue (like the hand) and have your subject stand further back, near another part (like the head), to create a compelling story within a single frame.
6. Swimming Pool - 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan
Artist Leandro Erlich created a piece that allows you to experience the impossible: being fully submerged underwater without getting wet. The installation is a full-sized swimming pool, but with a clever twist. There’s a thin layer of water on top of a piece of glass, while underneath is an empty, aquamarine-painted room that visitors can walk into.
This creates two fantastic photo opportunities. From above, people in the room below appear to be magically walking around at the bottom of the pool. From below, you can look up at the rippling water and the distorted figures of people looking down, creating a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere.
- Photo Tip: If you're shooting from below, have your subject press their hands against the "ceiling" (the glass) to create the illusion that they are pushing against the water's surface.
7. Fremont Troll - Seattle, USA
Lurking under the Aurora Bridge in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood is a colossal, 18-foot-tall troll clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle. This much-loved piece of local folklore is a fantastic subject for playful, narrative-driven photos. Made of rebar, wire, and concrete, his craggy features and immense size make for a great monster-movie vibe.
Visitors are encouraged to climb all over the sculpture. You can sit in his hand, try to steal the Beetle, or pretend to be picking his giant nose. The troll's position under the dark, imposing bridge adds to the moody and slightly spooky atmosphere.
- Photo Tip: Position a person in the foreground, closer to the camera, with their hand out. Align it with the VW Beetle in the troll's hand in the background, making it look like the person is plucking the car from the troll's grasp.
8. The Kelpies - Falkirk, Scotland
These two towering 100-foot-tall horse heads are a jaw-dropping tribute to Scotland's horse-powered industrial heritage. Designed by Andy Scott, The Kelpies dominate the landscape and are engineering marvels made of thousands of steel plates. Their sheer size is what makes them perfect for forced perspective.
You can frame your shots to make it look like you’re whispering a secret into a horse’s ear, feeding it a snack from your hand, or being nuzzled by its giant metallic snout. The intricate steelwork also creates beautiful patterns of light and shadow, adding texture to your photos.
- Photo Tip: Stand a good distance away and use a telephoto lens to compress the perspective. This will make the Kelpies feel even larger and more imposing behind your subject, creating a powerful sense of scale.
9. Prada Marfa - Marfa, Texas, USA
In the middle of the Chihuahuan desert, on a lonely stretch of highway, sits a permanently sealed Prada boutique. This iconic 2005 installation by artists Elmgreen & Dragset is a surreal commentary on consumerism and gentrification. Its isolated location is key to its photographic appeal.
The vast, empty landscape allows for endless creativity. You can stand far down the road and make it look like you're holding the tiny store in the palm of your hand. Or, get closer and use the store's windows to frame the desolate desert behind it. The "pop-art" feel of the installation against the rugged terrain is a visual treat.
- Photo Tip: Visit during sunrise or sunset (the "golden hour") when the light is soft and casts long shadows. This will make the colors of the desert and the store pop, adding a layer of drama to your shot.
10. Wonderland - Calgary, Canada
Jaume Plensa's "Wonderland" is a 39-foot-tall bent-wire sculpture of a young girl's head, situated in front of The Bow skyscraper in downtown Calgary. What makes it unique is that you can walk inside it. This dual perspective offers two completely different photographic experiences.
From the outside, you can play with its massive scale. Pose as if you're about to flick it, listen to its thoughts, or give it a kiss on the cheek. From the inside, the wireframe mesh acts as a surreal filter, framing the surrounding cityscape, the sky, and other people in a geometric web.
- Photo Tip: For a truly memorable shot, have one person stand inside the head while another stands outside. The person inside will be framed by the wire mesh, creating a multi-layered and visually complex photograph.
11. Carhenge - Alliance, Nebraska, USA
A quirky and brilliant tribute to England's Stonehenge, "Carhenge" perfectly replicates the original's proportions using 39 vintage American automobiles, all painted a uniform gray. It's a fantastic piece of Americana and a hilarious playground for photographers.
All the classic Stonehenge poses can be recreated here, but with a bizarre, automotive twist. Pretend to push over a 1960s Cadillac, or frame the sunrise through the "arches" formed by a precariously stacked station wagon and sedan. The juxtaposition of ancient wonder and modern decay is endlessly amusing.
- Photo Tip: Use the cars to frame your shots. The circle of vehicles creates numerous "windows" to shoot through, adding depth and a sense of discovery to your photos.
12. Forever Bicycles - Various Locations
Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei created this mesmerizing installation using thousands of identical, interconnected bicycles. While many versions are temporary, more permanent installations exist, like the one at The Contemporary Austin. The result is a dizzying, labyrinthine structure that feels both solid and ethereal.
The repeating patterns are a gift for abstract and perspective photography. You can create the illusion of an infinite vortex by shooting down one of the corridors of bikes. Or, isolate a single bicycle frame and use it as a "window" to frame your subject, who might be standing deeper within the sculpture.
- Photo Tip: Play with depth of field. Use a wide aperture (like f/2.8) to focus sharply on one part of the sculpture while letting the rest blur into a beautiful, repetitive pattern.
13. Traffic Light Tree - London, UK
Located on a roundabout in Canary Wharf, Pierre Vivant's "Traffic Light Tree" features 75 sets of traffic lights that change in a random, chaotic rhythm. It's a commentary on the pace of modern life, but for us, it's a wonderfully surreal photo op.
At night, the tree truly comes alive, creating a constellation of red, amber, and green. You can pose as if you are a conductor, orchestrating the symphony of lights, or simply stand beneath it, bathed in its colorful glow for a futuristic portrait.
- Photo Tip: Use a slow shutter speed (you'll need a tripod or a steady hand) to capture the changing lights as streaks, creating a dynamic and energetic photo that conveys the sculpture's constant motion.
14. Clothespin - Philadelphia, USA
Standing 45 feet tall in front of Philadelphia's City Hall, Claes Oldenburg's "Clothespin" is a perfect example of Pop Art turning the mundane into the monumental. The sculpture's simple, recognizable shape makes it incredibly fun to interact with.
The most popular shot is, of course, to make it look like the giant clothespin is pinching your head or your body. But you can also position yourself to look like a giant about to use it to hang up a skyscraper. Its two halves also form a perfect "V," which can be used to frame the impressive architecture behind it.
- Photo Tip: The shape of the clothespin is often said to resemble two lovers embracing. Try creating a romantic shot with a partner, mimicking the sculpture's form.
15. Wynwood Walls - Miami, USA
This outdoor street art museum is a kaleidoscope of color and creativity, with massive murals from some of the world's best graffiti artists. Many of these artworks are designed to be interactive, featuring characters, wings, and abstract shapes that invite you to step into the scene.
This is less about a single installation and more about a whole district of opportunity. Find a mural of angel wings and pose for the classic shot. Stand in front of a giant monster to make it look like you're about to be eaten. Or use the bold geometric patterns as a vibrant, eye-catching background for a portrait.
- Photo Tip: Before you start shooting, walk around and observe how other people are interacting with the art. Then, think of a way to put your own unique spin on it. Wear solid colors that either contrast with or complement the mural you've chosen.
16. The Force of Nature - Various Locations
Lorenzo Quinn's series of dramatic sculptures can be found in cities around the world, from London to Singapore. They depict a powerful, athletic Mother Nature figure hurling the planet Earth through the air with a long, flowing cloth. The sense of motion and energy is incredible.
These sculptures are perfect for creating dynamic, action-packed photos. You can pose as if you are either helping her throw the planet or are about to be struck by it. The flowing cloth also provides a strong leading line that draws the viewer's eye right to the action.
- Photo Tip: Get low and shoot from an upward angle. This will make the sculpture look even more monumental and powerful, enhancing the drama of the scene.
17. East Side Gallery - Berlin, Germany
The longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall is now the world's largest open-air gallery, featuring over 100 murals painted directly onto its surface. These artworks are not just beautiful; they are powerful political statements. And many of them are perfect for interactive photography.
The most famous mural is Dmitri Vrubel's "My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love," depicting the "fraternal kiss" between Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker. You can pose with a friend to cheekily recreate the scene or use the other vibrant murals to tell a story of freedom, division, and unity.
- Photo Tip: Find a mural with strong graphic elements or text. Position yourself so that you become part of the composition—perhaps pointing at a key word or interacting with a painted figure.
18. A-maze-ing Laughter - Vancouver, Canada
In Vancouver's Morton Park, you'll find 14 enormous bronze statues, each frozen in a state of hysterical laughter. Created by Yue Minjun, this installation is pure, infectious joy. The larger-than-life figures invite you to join in the fun.
The best way to photograph this piece is to become the 15th statue. Mimic their exaggerated, joyful poses and expressions. The scale of the statues makes it easy to create funny juxtapositions, where you are one of the gang, sharing in a massive, city-stopping inside joke.
- Photo Tip: Don't just take a photo of the statues; take a photo with them. Get right in there, put your arm around one, and laugh your head off. The energy is contagious and will shine through in your picture.
19. The Vessel - New York City, USA
(Note: The Vessel's accessibility has varied, so please check its official website for the latest visitor information before planning your trip.)
Thomas Heatherwick's "The Vessel" at Hudson Yards is an extraordinary, climbable sculpture. It's a honeycomb-like structure of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs—a total of almost 2,500 individual steps. Its repeating, geometric patterns are a playground for photographers.
The Escher-like quality of the staircases allows for mind-bending shots. You can frame a person on a flight of stairs above or below you through the structure's openings. The polished copper-colored surfaces also act as distorted mirrors, similar to Chicago's "Bean," creating warped and fascinating reflections of the city and its people.
- Photo Tip: Focus on symmetry. Stand in the very center at the bottom and look straight up for a breathtaking kaleidoscopic view. Or, use the repeating staircases to create leading lines that draw the eye to your subject.
20. Umeda Sky Building - Osaka, Japan
While a building and not a sculpture, the top of this architectural marvel is a work of public art. The "Floating Garden Observatory" connects the two towers, and the journey up includes a pair of escalators enclosed in a glass tube, creating a tunnel through the sky. It feels like you're being beamed into a spaceship.
This is your chance to create futuristic, sci-fi-inspired photographs. The crisscrossing support beams of the escalators and the view of the city sprawling below offer a stunning, cyberpunk-esque backdrop. The circular observatory at the top also has a floor that glows with celestial patterns at night.
- Photo Tip: Ride the escalator and have a friend take a picture of you from the opposite one. The symmetry and the feeling of floating between the two towers make for an incredible, vertigo-inducing shot.
Your World, Your Playground
There you have it—20 incredible destinations to spark your creativity and help you master the art of forced perspective. Photography is all about seeing the world differently, and these installations are purpose-built to help you do just that. They challenge our sense of scale, warp reality, and invite us to become part of the art itself.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that the best camera is the one you have with you, and the best subject is the world around you. So get out there, explore, and start bending reality to your will. You don't need fancy gear to create a photo that makes someone stop and say, "Whoa, how did you do that?"
Now we want to hear from you! Which of these reality-bending spots have you visited? Do you have a favorite local sculpture that’s perfect for forced perspective? Drop your top spots in the comments below, and don't forget to tag us on Instagram with your mind-bending photos! We can't wait to see what you create.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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