South African sculptor Daniel Popper has been busy. Over the past 12 months, the artist, known for his monumental public sculptures, has created multiple temporary and permanent installations that play on common themes of nature and human relationships.

Popper finished out 2024 with Aeonium, a 16-foot-tall sculpture inspired by the rosette-shaped form of the Aeonium succulent. Installed at EDC Orlando, the sculpture shows a woman covered in succulents. The plants, with their large waxy leaves, creep up her torso and cover her eyes. At night, the piece takes on a different guise. As with many of Popper's sculptures, when the sun sets, projection mapping brings the sculpture to life with patterns and colors. According to the studio, this interplay of light and form is intended to evoke the resilience of nature.

Projection mapping was an important element of another 2024 sculpture by Popper. Permanently installed at the entrance of Miami's Society Wynwood apartment complex, LUMEN is the fruit of two years of work. The stunning sculpture, covered in cracked mosaic tile, is a triumph that emphasizes the emotional impact of handcrafted art. The serene face, surrounded by vine-like sculptures, welcomes residents as they make their way home, projecting an air of calm. During the opening, residents were also treated to a light show, as dazzling array of colors and effects were projected onto the sculpture.

Popper's two other 2024 sculptures also found a permanent home, this time in Alabama. Hallow and Heartwood are displayed on part of the newly established Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama. This 17-acre park, which opened to the public on Juneteenth, is a unique monument that honors the lives of enslaved people.

Within this context, Popper designed two monumental sculptures that capture the array of emotions felt by these people. With Hallow, Popper tackles sorrow and remembrance through a sculpture of a woman opening a hole in her chest. “The figure’s open chest signifies vulnerability, divine acceptance, and healing, rather than despair,” shares Popper. Installed in the middle of a path, visitors can walk through the sculpture and, in doing so, immerse themselves in these feelings.

Popper's other sculpture for the park, Heartwood, shows a woman cleaved in half, with each part of her body bordering another path through the park. This break is intended to symbolize fracture and resilience. The title of the piece is a nod to the heartwood of a tree, its central core that is resistant to decay, an apt symbol for the resilience of the enslaved people that the park honors.

As we look forward to what Popper has in store for us in the coming year, we can't help but be impressed by his ability to create emotionally and visually striking sculpture that is perfectly adapted to its environment.

South African sculptor Daniel Popper, known for his monumental public art, has had a busy year.

Photo: Karli Evans

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

Popper finished out 2024 with Aeonium, a 16-foot-tall sculpture inspired by the rosette-shaped form of the Aeonium succulent.

Permanently installed at the entrance of Miami's Society Wynwood apartment complex, LUMEN is covered in cracked mosaic tile.

Photo: Karli Evans

Photo: Karli Evans

Photo: Karli Evans

During the opening, projection mapping brought the sculpture to life.

Popper also installed two sculptures at the newly opened Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama.

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

This 17-acre park, which opened to the public on Juneteenth, is a unique monument that honors the lives of enslaved people.

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

Photo: Jonx Pillemer

Daniel Popper: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Daniel Popper.

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READ: Daniel Popper’s Evocative Public Sculpture Speaks to Human Relationships and Nature

“Puente de plata,” 2024

To achieve hyperrealism in a painting, an artist must display confidence in texture. Without it, the canvas could appear flat, dull, and even uninviting. Artist Antonio Santín has mastered this technique, clearly showing he can paint surfaces so rich it’s as though viewers can reach out and touch them.

Living and working in Madrid, Santín specializes in paintings of ornamental rugs. These works take the artist months to complete, and overflow with microscopic details, bold patterns, and vibrant colors. Though he studies real rugs to understand how they fold, move, and catch light, the designs Santín ultimately paints are derived from his own imagination.

Throughout the past two years, Santín has further honed his technical skills, the result of which is the focus of his seventh solo exhibition at Marc Straus Gallery in New York. The show demonstrates the painter’s ability to reproduce rugs with astonishing accuracy and precision, now accomplished with a new methodology.

“Paint applications measured in millimeters are applied with the assistance of compressors and needles,” Marc Straus, who represents Santín, describes. “He builds layer upon layer.”

When viewed up-close, it becomes clear that Santín’s paintings are, in fact, composed of thousands of tiny dots, swirls, and shapes, meticulously arranged to achieve a harmonious pattern from afar.

The exhibition, titled Puente de Plata or “silver bridge,” is currently on view at Marc Straus Gallery until March 1, 2025. To discover more about the artist, follow Antonio Santín on Instagram.

Artist Antonio Santín specializes in hyperrealistic paintings of ornamental rugs, each replete with microscopic details and bold patterns.

“Momo,” 2024

“Momo,” 2024 (detail)

“Rocamadour,” 2024

“Puente de plata,” 2024 (detail)

Santín achieves this effect with paint applications measured in millimeters, a testament to his precision and patience.

“Victoria,” 2024

“Victoria” (detail)

“Victoria” (detail)

“Carambola”

“Carambola” (detail)

Watch a clip of the painter's incredible process.

 

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Antonio Santín: Puente de Plata at Marc Straus Gallery in New York explores the artist's exceptional technical skill across his rug paintings.

“Rocamadour” (detail)

“Aldealengua,” 2024

“Yuncler,” 2024

Exhibition Information
Antonio Santín
Puente de Plata
January 10, 2025—March 1, 2025
Marc Straus Gallery
57 Walker St., New York, NY 10013

Antonio Santín: Instagram
Marc Straus Gallery: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met received permission to feature images by Marc Straus Gallery.

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Nina Valkhoff

Believing in the ability of art to create a positive environment for learning, aWall Mural Projects has produced over 150 murals at schools across Miami Dade County since 2018. Founded and directed by artist Sergio Arce, who paints under the name Registered Artist, this year's round of murals reached a peak during Miami Art Week. During that time, about 30 international artists descended on Miami to transform bleak school walls into something special.

For Arce, this period is the culmination of hard work that not only involves selecting artists and coordinating their murals, but begins much earlier through fundraising and working with schools to select walls in need of art. For the 2024 edition, he also mentored two college students in the art of mural-making and allowed them to contribute to his two finished pieces.

“The aWall Mural Projects is an incredible example of the positive power of art,” says Eugene Kim, co-founder and editor-in-chief of My Modern Met. “I was honored to meet some of the participating artists while providing media coverage for My Modern Met during Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami. They are such good-hearted people with amazing talents.

“The stunning large-scale murals they created, at multiple schools across Miami, will impact thousands of children’s lives and I’ve seen comments on social media where students, past and present, are excited and proud that these artworks are being displayed at their schools. Imagine how this will impact their attendance, participation, education, and overall future. Kudos to Sergio (Registered Artist) and all of the participating artists for their massive contributions.

Arce's hard work and dedication to bettering these schools, which are primarily located in low-income areas, is undoubtedly commendable. Drawing on a wide array of skills, he's been able to steer aWall into a shining example of the transformative power of public art. “My Modern Met is proud to donate to the aWalls GoFundMe campaign,” Kim adds. “Our hope is that the community will support them as well so that they can continue to grow and do their important work.”

We had the chance to speak to him about the impetus behind aWall, what it's like managing the festival, and his hopes for the future. Scroll down for My Modern Met's exclusive interview and support future aWall murals through their GoFundMe.

Registered Artist

How long have you been painting and creating your own work out in the street?

I have been painting for over 15 years now and putting my work out in the streets for about maybe 13 years now.

How did aWall come about?

What inspired me to create aWall was seeing some of my peers creating their own art projects. At first, I just wanted to bring more art to blighted areas, but I soon found an opportunity to bring that art to public schools.

Shane Grammer

How does it feel to be on the other side as an organizer and director of a festival, rather than strictly an artist?

Before tackling this task of being an organizer and director of a mural festival, I was a charge nurse at the University of Miami Hospital. This gave me the opportunity to build on my leadership skills, manage a team, and work for a common goal. The biggest challenge I faced at first was just figuring how to start. I think that’s the hardest thing, taking that first step. You learn as you go, and there will always be difficulties and challenges, but without taking the initiative to even start, you will never know what you’re capable of. I believe that the fear of failing holds so many back from doing something great.

Congo

My Dog Sighs

What was the process for getting walls? Did you feel that schools were receptive?

With our first project, the walls were selected for us. The schools were receptive to the project but also weary, as there was no evidence of any previous projects. They really put their faith in us to do a good job and deliver on our promises. Since then, they have placed more trust in the process and have allowed us more freedom to create.

How do you think that street art can enhance public space?

I have first-hand seen how public art can transform public space with the rise of the Wynwood Art District in Miami, FL. It went from a blighted area of Miami to an art mecca recognized worldwide. Most of the schools we partner up with are in low-income areas, and these buildings have this institutional influence, which some find dreary. In all the years we have been doing this project, one of the takeaways we’ve noticed is that students, staff, and parents have all taken more pride in their schools. This has led to more community involvement and increased attendance in these schools.

Natalie Robinson

Wing Chow

What type of curatorial considerations did you make when selecting artists for the project?

The process we take to curate these schools is first finding artists who share the same passion and understanding of the importance of how art programs are to early education. Therefore, we do have a screening process where sketches are submitted, and a panel reviews each submission, ensuring it will have a positive impact on the students and staff of each school. Safety is also a big priority, so we perform background checks and lightly screen social media presence to get a feel for the artist's personality.

What was the biggest challenge during Miami Art Week in getting such a large number of walls pulled off?

Currently, the biggest challenge we face during Miami Art Week is just getting through the traffic. It sounds silly, but when you have multiple schools in various areas in Miami, traffic plays a huge factor in being able to successfully complete all these murals.

MORAZUL

Patrick Maxcy

What do you hope that people take away from aWall?

What I would like people to take away from the work we are doing here with aWall is that art programs and initiatives do have a big impact on our communities. We hope to find more organizations supporting these types of initiatives.

Dodici

Registered Artist

What's next for you and for aWall?

I’m hoping to take a few weeks off to reflect on this year’s project and see how we can improve and build a bigger impact for the upcoming year.

Registered Artist: Instagram | Facebook
aWall Mural Projects: Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Registered Artist.

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Lying in an endless field of blooming flowers. Wading through a pool teeming with rainbow koi fish. Sinking into a plush floor like it’s a black hole. These are only a few of the experiences offered at teamLab Planets Tokyo.

Since its 2018 launch in Japan, teamLab has curated immersive environments that abstract the boundaries between art and its audience. The art collective's museum encapsulates several large-scale artwork spaces, inviting visitors to participate in unique exercises such as creating a collaborative Pointillist artwork or pushing illuminated spheres to change their color. No matter the conceit, participation is what ultimately activates each artwork.

On January 22, 2025, teamLab Planets Tokyo will open its doors to an expansion that nearly doubles its total area. The Athletics Forest is one of the more ambitious additions, and comprises six separate areas for visitors to explore.

The Caterpillar House, for example, is composed of vibrant spheres that rotate at high speed, but once approached, they become easier to step on. Aerial Climbing similarly encourages physical engagement, featuring horizontal bars of varying colors upon which visitors can climb while suspended in the air.

“Humans perceive the world with their bodies and think with their bodies,” Toshiyuki Inoko, teamLab’s founder, explains in a statement. “We started Athletics Forest with the hopes to enhance three-dimensional and higher-dimensional thinking.”

The expansion also includes the Catching and Collecting Forest, a learning space inspired by the concept of Catch, Study, Release. Extinct animals roam the room’s towering walls, ready to be caught by visitors via a dedicated smartphone app. Once captured, the app provides information about the animal through a collection book and subsequently releases the animal back to the iridescent walls.

TeamLab Planets Tokyo has also incorporated a sketching lab, areas dedicated to collaborative art creation, and two art installations in its expansion. To learn more, visit the teamLab website.

Known for its immersive installations, teamLab Planets Tokyo has recently unveiled an expansion that nearly doubles its total area.

“Balance Stepping Stones in the Invisible World.”

“Beating Earth.”

“Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds.”

“Autonomous Abstraction.”

“Sketch Waterfall Droplets.”

The expansion features several new large-scale artwork spaces, including the Athletics Forest and the Catching and Collecting Forest.

“Graffiti Nature.”

“Catching and Collecting Extinct Forest.”

“Existence in the Flow Creates Vortices.”

“Flutter of Butterflies from the Caterpillar House.”

teamLab Planets Tokyo specializes in immersive installations, offering rich and sensory visual experiences.

“Multi Jumping Universe.”

“Nursery Lamps in Spontaneous Order.”

“Rapidly Rotating Bouncing Spheres in the Caterpillar House.”

“Sliding through the Fruit Field.”

“Waterfall Droplets, Flowing Down a Slope.”

teamLab Planets: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met received permission to feature images by teamLab Planets.

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The art of painting reaches back in time across history, whether used to decorate ancient artifacts or spread across canvases by famous artists. Today, painting still represents one of the highest forms of art, and whether you are a beginner or a seasoned creative, there is always more to learn. That is where My Modern Met Academy comes in.

As an online creative learning platform, we're all about helping all levels of artists reach their potential. And when it comes to painting, we've tapped skilled artists to share their knowledge. From working with acrylics to discovering how to create mixed-media artwork, there's something for everyone.

In every one of our courses, you'll walk step by step through lessons on materials and techniques and then work with the instructors to complete your own paintings. All classes are on-demand, which means that you can start and stop whenever you want and go at your own pace.

Scroll down to see five of our favorite painting courses.

Here are 5 online painting classes from My Modern Met Academy to get started and/or further your skills.

Abstract Realism: Introduction to Mixed Media Painting

In this intermediate mixed-media painting class, artist Dimitra Milan shares techniques to create your own piece of abstract realist art. She will show you step-by-step how to create a canvas in a style she calls “abstract realism.” Start with an abstract background, draw out your subject, and then use acrylics to bring it to life. Once you start, you won't want to stop.

Acrylic Painting Masterclass: Explore Color & Abstract Landscape Painting

Dive into contemporary landscape painting using acrylics with artist Luiza Niechoda. Designed for intermediate learners or intrepid beginners, there's a lot of information packed into this three-hour class. Learn to stretch your own canvas, paint crisp lines, and create a hue matrix that will last for years to come. Then, work with Niechoda to bring everything together and create two abstract landscape paintings.

Dappled Light: Learn Abstract Painting with Acrylics

This abstract painting course uses paint-along lessons to create beautiful art using acrylics. Megan Elizabeth believes that working abstractly can be quite enjoyable and relaxing with the right mentality. Through her course, you will find inspiration in both nature and light and turn them into beautiful art. You will then come away with your very own abstract acrylic painting inspired by dappled light.

Dream Your Own Abstract Acrylic Floral Paintings

Appreciate the beauty of flowers in a whole new way when you learn how to paint them using an abstract style and acrylic pigment. Through in-depth video lessons, Nitika Ale will teach you how to curate inspiration images, break down the essential techniques, and craft your own dreamy floral imagery.

Introduction to Watercolor Painting

Botanical artist Victoria Beyer breaks down everything you need to know about this much-loved medium, from the type of paper to use to different special effects you can achieve.  Discover everything from wet-on-wet to dry brushing and create two watercolor paintings—a landscape and a still life.

My Modern Met Academy: Website | Facebook | Instagram

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LA Art Show in 2022. (Photo: Wee2022 via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0)

As Los Angeles’ largest and longest-running art fair, the LA Art Show (LAAS) has served as a crucial forum for discovering and engaging with thriving art communities around the world. The event encapsulates over 120 galleries, museums, and non-profit arts organizations, and features work across all disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, and design.

This year, LAAS is celebrating its 30th anniversary edition from February 19 to 23, 2025, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Galleries participating in the 2025 fair represent a diverse array of countries, ranging from Türkiye, Korea, and the Netherlands to France, Taiwan, and the United States.

Longtime exhibiting galleries will also be returning to this year’s fair, among them being Arcadia Contemporary in New York, Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery in London, and Copro Gallery in Los Angeles.

Other highlights include Art in Dongsan, a Seoul- and Goyang-based gallery that will present metalwork by Steel Che (Youngkwan Choi). The exhibition’s centerpiece, Steam Robot, unites contemporary sculpture and industrial heritage, offering insight into Korea’s evolving art landscape.

The Los Angeles-based Snisarenko Gallery, on the other hand, will showcase She, Unbroken, a collection of work by Ukrainian artists Inna Kharchuk, Anna Veriki, Liza Zhdanova, and Iryna Maksymova. The exhibition will focus on themes of resilience, courage, and displacement, especially as it relates to the ongoing conflicts in the region.

My Modern Met will be on location during the entirety of the LAAS, cataloging the fair’s exceptional moments. To stay updated on our coverage, be sure to follow us on Instagram, and learn more about the event on the LA Art Show website.

LA Art Show is celebrating its 30th anniversary edition from February 19 to 23, 2025, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Selection from LE Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Alexander Calder, “Loops and Spheres,” 1970.

Selection from Casterline Goodman Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Daniel Yocum.

Selection from Fabrik Projects's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Sebastiaan Knot.

Selection from Arcadia Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Stephen Fox, “Ghost of a Past Romance,” 2024.

Selection from Wood Symphony's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Larisa Safaryan, “Architects of Heaven.”

LAAS is the largest and longest-running art fair in Los Angeles, and showcases artwork from more than 120 international galleries, museums, and non-profit arts organizations.

Selection from Fabrik Projects's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Sebastiaan Knot.

Selection from Rebecca Hossack Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Laurence Jones, “Infinite Horizons,” 2024.

Selection from LE Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Roy Lichtenstein, “Seascape No 1,” 1964.

Selection from Rebecca Hossack Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Mersuka Dopazo, “Amigos Since Forever,” 2024.

Selection from Wood Symphony's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Nairi Safaryan, “Unity.”

The My Modern Met team will be on location during LAAS, cataloging the fair's exceptional moments.

Selection from Rebecca Hossack Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Nikoleta Sekulovic, “H.Martineau,” 2024.

Selection from Casterline Goodman Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Daniel Yocum.

Selection from Rebecca Hossack Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Phil Shaw, “For Piet's Sake II,” 2014.

Selection from LE Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Pablo Picasso, “Jacqueline Lisant,” 1957.

Selection from Arcadia Gallery's 2025 LAAS exhibition. Aaron Westerberg, “Apprehension,” 2024.

LA Art Show: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met received permission to feature images by the LA Art Show.

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READ: LA Art Show Preview: Celebrate Its 30th Anniversary With Countless International Galleries

 

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Architectural sketches are great for capturing a building’s details, but bringing its life and character to the page isn’t always easy. Ukrainian artist Nikita Busyak has found a unique way to do just that—by digitally enhancing his drawings with warm yellow light. This technique makes the windows appear to glow, transforming the sketches into captivating night scenes.

Busyak begins by using Micron pens to craft his cityscapes with intricate linework, hatch shading, and detailed markings. While his black-and-white drawings are impressive on their own, they truly transform when he adds his signature touch of light. While the artist’s earlier works showcase still scenes with static glows emanating from windows and balconies, his latest creations take it a step further. Using digital animation, he brings the scenes to life, making it appear as if someone inside the building is flicking the lights on and off.

Many of Busyak’s artworks are inspired by the architecture found in Kharkiv, a city in northeast Ukraine. Unfortunately, some parts of the region have been damaged due to the current war, but Busyak’s drawings offer a reminder of the city’s beauty. Each window “light” is cleverly animated to illuminate the area’s stunning architectural details, highlighting intricate brickwork and ornate façades.

Busyak showcases a deep understanding of how light shapes a scene—in one piece, the artist creates the illusion of light spilling onto the street, while in another, a warm glow gently illuminates a tree lining the road. Each piece evokes the feeling that hidden lives are unfolding within the pages of his sketchbook after dark.

Check out some of the artist’s latest works below and follow Nikita Busyak on Instagram for more of his incredible work.

Ukrainian artist Nikita Busyak digitally enhances his architectural drawings to add warm yellow light to the building windows.

 

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A post shared by Nikita Busyak (@citiesandsketches)

 

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A post shared by Nikita Busyak (@citiesandsketches)

Using clever animation techniques, he brings the scenes to life, making it appear as if someone inside the building is flicking the lights on and off.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nikita Busyak (@citiesandsketches)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nikita Busyak (@citiesandsketches)

Each window “light” illuminates stunning architectural details, like intricate brickwork and ornate façades.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nikita Busyak (@citiesandsketches)

Each piece evokes the feeling that hidden lives are unfolding within the pages of his sketchbook after dark.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nikita Busyak (@citiesandsketches)

Nikita Busyak: Instagram | Shop

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Nikita Busyak.

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With its rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and abundant wildlife, Ōtepoti Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island is one of the most breathtaking areas in the world. Captivated by its beauty during a recent visit, Brazilian textile artist Vanessa Barragão crafted an extraordinary hand-tufted artwork inspired by the region.

Barragão is known for her stunning, nature-inspired textile art that celebrates the world’s ecosystems, and Dunedin, completed in 2024, is no exception. The massive 4.5 x 3.7-meter piece beautifully captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors of New Zealand’s landscapes through colorful wool yarn. Using the tufting technique, Barragão brings blue bays, sandy beaches, and rolling hills to life with stunning three-dimensional detail.

Dunedin isn’t just a stunning work of art—it’s practical too. Designed as a giant rug, it invites you to lounge among its soft, textured landscapes. Barragão even added detachable “hills” that double as backrests or seats, blending beauty with functionality. Every inch of the piece highlights the artist’s remarkable talent for translating natural landscapes into incredible textile art. And if Barragão’s previous work is anything to go by, Dunedin likely took hundreds of hours to complete.

For Barragão, completing Dunedin marks a significant milestone in her artistic journey. “This piece not only celebrates the launch of a new collection, but also celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Studio and everything it stands for,” she shares. “From my team, family, and all of you who follow me! Thank you for this journey, and may we continue together!”

Check out Dunedin in detail below and follow Barragão on Instagram for more of her incredible textile art.

Brazilian textile artist Vanessa Barragão crafted an extraordinary hand-tufted artwork inspired by the Ōtepoti Dunedin region in New Zealand.

The massive 4.5 x 3.7-meter piece beautifully captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors of the landscape through colorful wool yarn.

Using the tufting technique, Barragão brings blue bays, sandy beaches, and rolling hills to life with stunning three-dimensional detail.

Barragão even added detachable “hills” that double as backrests or seats.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Vanessa Barragão (@vanessabarragao_work)

Vanessa Barragão: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Vanessa Barragão.

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In January 2012, artist Nick Cave was invited to spend a month in Dakar, Senegal, to gain inspiration for a large-scale installation to be installed at the city's U.S. Embassy. This residency, part of the U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies (AIE) program, allowed him to create a stunning installation based on the cross-cultural dialogue he experienced with local artists.

Cave used his time in Senegal's capital to engage with local artists, finding inspiration in these encounters. This would translate to the final piece, a 20-by-25-foot bas-relief weighing approximately 500 pounds. It took Cave three months and the help of 10 assistants to create the piece, which is primarily made from pony beads and pipe cleaners. The artist also incorporated sequins, as well as found objects from the United States and Senegal.

Together, the materials form a vibrant web symbolizing unity. A true cross-cultural work, this piece was created by Cave in his Chicago studio and incorporated work by local Senegalese artists Seni M’Baye, Loman Pawlitschek, and Daouda N’Diaye on-site.

“For me, when, you know, people are experiencing the piece, I have to be open to what they see and how they respond to it and allow that to be another part of this sort of broad dialogue around an emotion,” the artist shares in a 2013 video produced by AIE. “It’s part of this sort of opportunity for people to intersect and have interesting conversation around ideas. It’s part of the magic.”

Cave's piece is just one part of the Department of State's extensive art program, which presents approximately 60 exhibitions per year and has helped create over 70 permanent art collections in over 200 diplomatic facilities in 189 countries.

In 2012, artist Nick Cave was invited to spend a month in Senegal as part of the U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies (AIE) program.

The resulting artwork, installed in the U.S. Embassy in Dakar in 2013, weighs approximately 500 pounds.

Primarily made from pony beads and pipe cleaners, it was inspired by his encounters with local artists.

Watch this short film to see how Cave's incredible bas-relief came to life.

Nick Cave: Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Jack Shainman Gallery.

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Artist Charles Pétillon is known for his monumental balloon installations, which have been staged around the world. Now, he's shifting gears and merging his balloon art and photography to create surreal imagery from carefully crafted sets. The result of this is Weightlessness, Pétillon's solo exhibition at Danysz Gallery in Paris.

Pétillon's white balloons give rise to ethereal scenes, whether rising up in a misty landscape or billowing out of Brutalist architecture. In some whimsical images, a figure appears, legs peeking out from the balloons. Almost appearing to carry the person away, the French artist's hybrid creature allows us to enter his creative world.

For the exhibition, Pétillon is also opening up the creative process. Audio and visual experiences, including the artist's personal narration and a behind-the-scenes video, give insight into what it takes to bring his vision to life. Danysz Gallery calls Weightlessness an exhibition where “imperfection unveils unexpected beauty while subtly questioning our world and its challenges, from ecology to humanity’s role, urbanization, and sensitive beauty.”

Running from February 8, 2025, to March 8, 2025, the show is a fascinating opportunity to see the magic that can occur when installation art and fine art photography come together. Scroll down to see an exclusive preview of the work on show.

Artist Charles Pétillon is known for his monumental balloon installations, which have been staged around the world.

In his new exhibition, Weightlessness, he's shifting gears to create surreal imagery from carefully crafted sets.

Exhibition Information:
Charles Pétillon
Weightlessness
February 8, 2025 – March 8, 2025
Danysz Gallery in Paris, France
78 Rue Amelot, 75011 Paris, France

Charles Pétillon: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Danysz Gallery.

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READ: Surreal Photos Capture the Magic of Charles Pétillon’s Balloon Installations