Plays With the City (8 Photos)

From painted shadows that bite to murals that extend into the street, these eight artworks transform everyday city elements into something unexpected. Created by artists across the globe, each piece cleverly interacts with its surroundings, inviting passersby to see their streets in a whole new way.

1. Mailbox Monster Shadow — By Damon Belanger in Redwood City, California, USA

Part of a series of playful painted shadows by Damon Belanger, this work transforms the shadow of a regular USPS mailbox into a sharp-toothed monster. Created for a public art project in downtown Redwood City, California, the series brings hidden characters to life on sidewalks, inviting pedestrians to see familiar street objects in a new way. More!: Street Artist painting funny fake shadows to confuse people (20 photos)

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2. Crosswalk Painter — Cosimo Cheone Caiffa in Trezzano sul Naviglio, Milan, Italy

A mural shows a man using a paint roller to “create” a crosswalk, seamlessly blending with the actual road. More!: 23 Amazing 3D Murals by CHEONE!

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3. Statue Slap

Woman poses in front of a classical stone statue, timed so it looks like the statue is striking her across the face with its hand.

More!: Playing with statues (25 photos)

4. Hide-and-Seek — SMOK in Antwerp, Belgium

A giant mural of a child peeks into the wall, interacting with the building’s architecture as if playing hide-and-seek. More photos!: Mural by SMOK in Antwerp, Belgium

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5. Neil’s One Cookie Per Day Rule Has Hit a Technical Snag — David Zinn in USAn

Chalk art by David Zinn featuring Neil, a green goblin-like creature, holding a drain cover as if it were a giant chocolate cookie.

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6. Sewer Chase — EFIX in France

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles chase Mario between two wall-mounted pipes in this small but detailed installation. More!: EFIX’s Clever Art (9 Photos)

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7. Bob in Bloom — Oakoak in France

Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons gets a natural purple hairdo thanks to a flowering tree branch. More!: Wrong but Right: Art By Oakoak (9 Photos)

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8. Telephone Game — Seth in Little Haiti, Miami, USA

Two painted children sit back to back, using the barbed wire atop the building as part of their string-and-can telephone game. More!: 34 Murals That Turn Walls Into Wonders: Seth’s Street Art Will Blow Your Mind

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More: 15 Powerful Art Pieces Overflowing With Emotion

Which one is your favorite?