Designboom_ Poignant, ephemeral, mystical, and optically deceptive — these are just some of the words used to describe the most striking public art interventions of 2023. Visionaries like MAD Architects‘ Ma Yansong, Jim Denevan, Anish Kapoor, and el Anatsui shook up the art scene, magnifying their creative genius by transforming seemingly ordinary elements into extraordinarily poetic and show-stopping installations. Whether to celebrate the natural world, breathe new life into derelict architecture, or comment on the tragedy of human realities, each of these artworks emblematize the incredible power of manipulating scale, material, and shape to craft unforgettable masterpieces. Stick around as we continue our roundup of BIG STORIES with the TOP 10 public art projects featured on designboom throughout the year 2023.

MAD ARCHITECTS WRAPS CHINESE LANDMARK IN MULTICOLORED VEIL

JIM DENEVAN’S MONUMENTAL LAND ART FROM DESERT SANDS AT MANAR ABU DHABI

ANDRÉS REISINGER TO UNVEIL HIS FIRST-EVER PHYSICAL ‘TAKE OVER’ INSTALLATION AT MIAMI ART WEEK

JR REIMAGINES SCAFFOLDING OF PARIS’ OPERA HOUSE AS ENTRANCE TO A VAST CAVE

ANISH KAPOOR’S NEWEST ‘BEAN’ NESTLES INTO STREETS OF NEW YORK

EL ANATSUI STITCHES THOUSANDS OF METAL BOTTLE PIECES FOR HYUNDAI COMMISSION AT TATE MODERN

CARSTEN HÖLLER’S LUMINOUS DOTS ENGAGE MANAR ABU DHABI IN VIBRANT PLAY

UKRAINE’S WAR-WRECKED CARS SHOWCASED IN POIGNANT EXHIBITION BY MARTIN VELCOVSKY

JEPPE HEIN’S WATER ROOMS APPEAR AS A LIQUID PAVILION AT BASEL’S PUBLIC FREILAGER PLATZ

YELLOW INFLATABLE INSTALLATION SQUEEZES INTO VOID SPACE IN BARCELONA