13 Astounding Sculptures That Look They’re Sinking Into the Ground

 

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There are many artworks that will make you do a double-take, but few create the type of astounding illusion that sinking sculptures do. Artists and designers make homes, cars, and even people look as though they are quickly slipping in quicksand or going underwater. This visual element produces both a striking sight and is conceptually alluring. We can’t help but wonder: what draws them under the surface? Will they ever escape?

Artist Isaac Cordal is one artist who has crafted this sculptural illusion to great effect. His 2011 piece, popularly known as Politicians Discussing Global Warming, features a group of miniature figurines in a puddle of water on the streets of Berlin. Some are waist-deep in the liquid while others are nearly submerged in it. The minute display is powerful for the emotion that it conveys, as well as its commentary on public officials and their inability to enact meaningful legislation to fight climate change.

Scroll down to see how other artists have used the sinking sculpture illusion in their work.

“Sinking” sculpture optical illusions are both visually striking and conceptually alluring. See how these artists have interpreted similar ideas.

 

Pete and Sue Hill

 

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Julien Berthier

 

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Cornelia Konrads

 

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Ivan Puig

 

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Ivan Puig

 

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Petrus Spronk

 

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Heather Hart

 

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Heather Hart

 

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Cathie Pilkington

 

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Pedro Marzorati

 

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Asmund Havsteen-Mikkelsen

 

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David Brooks

 

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BYME

 

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
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