If you happen to be in downtown Redwood City, California, you might notice something out of the ordinary. If you pay particular attention to the shadows, you’ll notice they seem to be mutated from their original shape. Flowers sprout from the shadows of bike racks and mailboxes turn into shadow monsters.

Graphic artist and designer Damon Belanger is turning the shadows of normal street objects into their adorable alter egos; making you do a double take. Damon was commissioned to install 20 fake shadows downtown in order to bring more creativity to the area. And as you can see, he’s certainly succeeded in doing just that.

“Shadow art has allowed me to bring out a more whimsical side with my art and allows me to play with shadows,” said Damon. “It was surprising when I got notified that they had chose me, because I suspected that they had gotten a lot of great portfolios sent in.”

The Redwood City Improvement Association donated $30,000US to the city. They partnered with Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation and the Partnership Redwood City Program to bring more creativity to downtown.

Damon created the stencil designs for his Shadow Art project at his home before heading to downtown. There he draws out the designs in chalk and paints them on the sidewalk. The artwork has certainly caused many people to do a double take; at first glance the shadows seem to blend in well with everyday life.

“The shadows give regular mundane objects a lively spirit so people can have a little fun in their everyday life,” says Damon.

Follow Belanger on Instagram and check out other street art like chalk art that interacts with street objects or others that blend fantasy and reality.

Source: https://designyoutrust.com/2017/08/art-in-the-shadows-artist-damon-belanger-enlivens-city-with-serendipitous-paintwork/