Artist Uses Tape to Turn Flat Surfaces into Fun and Colorful 3D Illusions

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Apr 24, 2018 at 11:11am PDT

New York-based artist Aakash Nihalani is known for his playful optical illusion installations that blend graphic, cartoon worlds with reality. He uses a variety of material, including tape, paint, paper, vinyl, wood, and steel to create trick-of-the-eye, three-dimensional artworks that aren’t always what they seem.

Nihalani’s latest work transforms ordinary gallery walls and outdoor spaces into interactive playgrounds. Viewers are encouraged to come closer, play, and question reality. Rendered in his distinct, geometric style in neon and monochrome hues, Nihalani plays with perspective, resulting in works that add a new dimension to otherwise flat, mundane spaces.

In one piece, the clever artist uses tape, vinyl, paint, and board to create the illusion of a mysterious, L-shaped doorway. In another, a stack of precariously balanced cubes look as though they’re about to topple over. As it turns out, the entire piece is one flat surface made from steel, aluminum, and acrylic polyurethane.

You can see more of Nihalani’s head-turning works on his website and Instagram.

Artist Aakash Nihalani creates playful optical illusion installations that blend graphic, cartoon worlds with reality.

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Mar 14, 2019 at 11:44am PDT

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Aug 4, 2016 at 10:53am PDT

A master of perspective, his clever works add new dimensions to otherwise flat, mundane spaces.

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Jul 13, 2016 at 11:26am PDT

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Aug 23, 2016 at 10:51am PDT

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on May 24, 2017 at 10:02am PDT

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Mar 8, 2018 at 9:04am PST

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Dec 13, 2017 at 8:37am PST

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Apr 4, 2019 at 12:57pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Mar 9, 2016 at 12:40pm PST

 

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A post shared by Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani) on Apr 17, 2018 at 8:56am PDT

Aakash Nihalani: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr

All images via Aakash Nihalani.

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