In 1984, American artist Kurt Wenner found that when he mixed his love for classical street art with his understanding of geometrics, he produced an entirely new art form — 3D pavement art.
For the past 35 years, Wenner has led the 3D pavement art movement, creating incredible illusions on streets and sidewalks around the world that are making people question reality. Each piece seems to reach endlessly into the pits of the Earth when they are, in fact, only surface level.
INSIDER spoke with Wenner to learn more about 3D pavement art and what it takes to create one of these masterpieces.
Pavement art dates back to the 16th century in Europe, but Wenner put a modern twist on it by creating 3D illusions.
In 1984, Wenner combined his classical art training and his understanding of illusions to create 3D pavement art, which is also known as anamorphic or illusionistic art. This art form makes images appear to rise from or fall into the ground.
He's has created masterpieces in countries all over the world, from New York City to Dubai.
"My artistic motivation is to rediscover, transform, and share insights from the past," he wrote on his site. "I have been fortunate to be able to share my work with millions of people and hope that it will inspire artists and the public to delve into the patrimony of European Art so they can find the wealth of ideas that are so often hidden with the passage of time."
Wenner combines classical art techniques with 3D elements.
"I originally conceived of the art form as a way to demonstrate the process of classical drawing in front of an audience," Wenner told INSIDER. "I soon found that my new perspective geometry allowed me to revisit traditional classical themes in a fresh and original way. The geometry of the perspective space also informs the structure of classical drawing, so I achieve a special harmony by using classical themes and forms."
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