Street Artist Turns Buildings into Gigantic Butterfly Specimen Cases

France-based street artist Mantra transforms multi-story buildings into gigantic butterfly specimen cases in a series of clever, trick-of-the-eye 3D murals. The enormous, hyper-realistic butterflies appear to be set within wooden-framed boxes, recessed into the side of each building. Long shadows and subtle details, which suggest a transparent glass surface, create a convincing level of depth that helps to enforce the head-turning optical illusions.

Not all of Mantra’s butterfly murals are painted outside, though, and not all are depicted as preserved specimens. Some occupy rooms within abandoned buildings, taking position against a wall, or standing out from a corner. So far, his butterflies have appeared in Spain, Austria, France, and Bogota.

Mantra’s illusory murals don’t end with butterflies either; he’s also painted cats, birds, and reptiles, as well as other insects, such as moths, beetles, and (in one instance) a monstrous spider, creeping out from a “crack” in the side of an apartment block.

Keep up to date on Mantra’s latest work by following him on Instagram.

Street artist spray-paints murals of hyper-realistic butterfly specimens.

In July 2017, Mantra painted this mural, entitled Yasuni’s Imago, onto a building in Thionville, France.

Not all of Mantra’s insects are housed behind glass, though…

Watch Mantra create one of his illusory Murals.

A post shared by Mantra (@mantrarea) on Aug 26, 2017 at 11:45am PDT

Mantra: Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Colossal]

All images via Mantra.

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