Nothing Was What It Seemed (10 Photos)

November 3, 2026

By Vidar

When the ordinary slips

Some artworks wait for you to notice the trick. Tires become an animal, a wall opens into another world, and an everyday object suddenly changes scale. These ten works reward the second look.

🪑 A Bench for Two Lamps — Artist Unknown

Two ornamental lamp posts bend into a quiet bench scene.

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📖 “Reading in the Forest” — By Bogdan Scutaru in Vamdrup, Denmark 🇩🇰

“Reading in the Forest” by Bogdan Scutaru in Vamdrup, Denmark.

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🐘 “Mouse and Elephant” — By Scaf Oner in Castets, France 🇫🇷

“Mouse and Elephant” by Scaf Oner in Castets, France.

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🪁 “Childhood Dreams” — By Andy J. Céspedes Fernández in Moyobamba, Peru 🇵🇪

“Childhood Dreams” by Andy J. Céspedes Fernández in Moyobamba, Peru.

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🦍 “Everything Is Possible” — By Villu Jaanisoo in Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮

“Everything Is Possible” by Villu Jaanisoo in Helsinki, Finland. The gorilla was made from car tires and was destroyed by fire in January 2018.

📂 Artwork File · Sourced factsKaikki on mahdollista (Everything Is Possible)Villu Jaanisoo · 2009 · Viikki campus, HelsinkiUsed car tiresAbout 5 m tall2006 competition winner1It was built from used car tires and chosen through an invited competition held in 2006.State Art Commission2A fire in the early hours of 10 January 2018 destroyed the sculpture completely.MTV Uutiset200924 SepUniversity announces the unveiling200929 SepYle reports the gorilla has arrived20146 MayPhoto by Harald Bøhn201410 MayInstagram photo by Panu Lempiäinen (our photo)201810 JanDestroyed by fire in the night201811 JanState Art Commission reports arson20185 FebOnly supports and tire remains leftRead the full file →

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🚬 “Death & Taxes” — By Slinkachu

“Death & Taxes” by Slinkachu, made for the 2010 FAME Festival.

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📚 “Dystopia Bowl” — Artist Unknown

A Halloween candy bowl on a doorstep holds copies of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four instead of candy, with a sign: “One copy of 1984 per child.”

🍎 “Newton’s Apple” — Artist Unknown

“Newton’s Apple” turns “Newt n” into a visual joke by dropping the red “o” below the word.

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🌿 “Once upon a fault” — By Seth Globepainter in Grigny, France 🇫🇷

“Once upon a fault” by Seth Globepainter in Grigny, France.

📷 Photo: Gautier Jourdain

📂 Artwork File · Sourced factsIl était une faille (There Was A Fault)Seth (Julien Malland) · 2020 · La Grande Borne, GrignyWall Street Art festivalLa Cité des EnfantsGrand Paris Sud1Seth painted it for the sixth edition of the Wall Street Art festival of Grand Paris Sud.Street Art News2The estate it is painted in, La Grande Borne, is also called “La Cité des Enfants”.Street Art United States202023 SepCompleted mural reported · Street Art News202028 SepPhotos by Galerie Mathgoth · Brooklyn Street Art202026 OctFeature on the mural · Street Art United StatesRead the full file →