For all the great museums in the world, some of the best artistic displays are found outdoors. From political displays to official exhibitions, each of the artistic entries on this list are unique items you won’t want to miss.
1. George Floyd Square
The 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis gave rise to many things, including this makeshift “square” at the intersection of 38th and Chicago. A now-famous Black Lives Matter statue and other Black Lives Matter-themed artworks are currently on display there.
2. PsychoBarn
Of all the things you may expect to see in New York, a barn probably isn’t one of them. For the next few months, however, a miniature version of one is on display in cooperation with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Designed by Cornelia Parker, the barn itself is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, hence the name, as well as a series of paintings of barns by Edward Hopper.
3. Sharks!
Eyesore? Epic? Or both? Views of this art installation in the Hackney borough of London are various, having caused controversy with the local council, which in turn has been covered by everyone from The Guardian to YouTuber CGP Grey. Still, if you’d like to see five fiberglass sharks rising from the waters around London, how can you possibly do better than this?
4. Gift Horse
As the saying goes, never look a gift horse in the mouth – even if it’s a bronze skeleton of a horse. Another London art installation, this statue by Hans Haacke sits atop the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. An equestrian park was planned for the area by William IV, hence part of the theming. Tied to the horse’s front leg is an electronic tricker that displays live info on all the latest dealings from the London Stock Exchange.
5. Seven Magic Kingdoms
Located in Sloan, Nevada, this piece by Ugo Rondinone consists of seven totems made from painted boulders that rise up toward the sky in majestic fashion. The display took Rondinone five years to build and will be on display for two years.