Culture: Julian Beever

On the streets of London, gaping holes in the pavement threaten to swallow passers-by, a synchronized swimmer extends her leg from a High Street swimming pool and, in Edinburgh’s City Centre, a globe floats mysteriously. Enter the strange and fascinating world of sidewalk artist/illusionist, Julian Beever. No 3-D glasses needed here—Beever’s unique use of anamorphic illusion can make a flat plane of ground look completely three-dimensional. Though the illusions only work from a certain angle, Beever’s paintings are so convincing he can actually insert himself into them, dipping his toe into the swimming pool; standing precariously on a ledge awaiting rescue from Batman and Robin. He even creates a mirror image of himself—Beever and his chalk-clutching doppelganger kneeling head to head.

To view more of Beever’s mind-boggling artwork, visit his website.