Most people are familiar with these giant water tap illusions seen in water parks all over the world.

Isamu Noguchi (1904 - 1988) was a prominent Japanese-American artist and architect, whose career spanned from the 1920s until his death six decades later.  Known widely for his sculptures and public works, Noguchi also designed stage sets and also various lamps and furniture pieces.

Noguchi took this water tap illusion one step further and developed nine “floating” fountains for the World Expo in Osaka, Japan.  The effect is stunning and surreal, and appears as if the boxes are seemingly held in the air by the force of the water.  It also reminds me vaguely of the floating boxes in Super Mario Brothers.

One of Noguchi’s most recognizable pieces of art is the Red Cube in New York City, whose red color and diagonal lines stand out in huge contrast to the dark colored, horizontal- and vertical-lined skyscrapers that surround it.