Art: Larger than Life

Works of art are no longer confined to the hallways of museums and galleries. Contemporary pieces sometimes appear outdoors where you least expect them – like this colourful bouquet of metal flowers in Place Antonin Poncet in Lyon. The piece was designed by Korean artist Jeong Hwa Choi for the Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2003.

The Flower Tree, by Jeong Hwa Choi

The Littoral Zone, an exhibit by British artist Marc Quinn, was held in the principality of Monaco in 2012. The large red orchid titled Burning Desire was planted in the gardens of Place du Casino. A giant baby, titled Planet, was propped in front of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

Burning Desire, by Marc Quinn

Planet, by Marc Quinn

The oversized red lips by French artist Bertrand Lavier were seen in the hill town of Les Baux de Provence as part of the 2012 A-Part International Festival of Contemporary Art.

La Bocca, by Bertrand Lavier

The glittering gold mosaic columns of The Sky Over Nine Columns by German artist Heinz Mack were installed in a stunning waterfront location on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2014.

The Sky Over Nine Columns, by Heinz Mack

This man on a giant tortoise was peeking over the garden wall of a villa on Cap Ferrat. I only recently identified this work, Searching for Utopia by Flemish artist Jan Fabre, thanks to sightings of a similar installation on Piazza della Signoria in Florence.

Searching for Utopia, by Jan Fabre

I can't wait to find out what surprises await me on the streets of London this summer!