Street artists Jan Is De Man and Deef Feed, created a spectacular 3D bookcase illusion on the side of a building, using paint!

While many artists prefer using abandoned buildings and old train tracks to display their incredible masterpieces, a Dutch artist, Jan Is De Man, chooses to go another route by painting lively works for local communities who want to connect.

Jan Is De Man aims to create projects "where everybody can identify themselves." So, before creating any masterpieces, he first asks for opinions and ideas from residents who commission him. And his most recent work of art is a whimsical tri-level mural bookcase on the side of an apartment building in Utrecht, Netherlands.

The location for the 3D wall mural came before the idea:

Jan Is De Man told My Modern Met:

"I know the people who live on the ground floor very well. They've wanted a mural by my hand for a while. They also wanted to let me feel free in my design as long as it would bring something positive to their neighborhood."

"The first idea was to paint a smiley. A huge smiley. Because I believe people become happier when they see a smile every day. But this idea didn't feel complete, and it felt too simple."

After studying his canvas, he came up with the idea for a l'oeil mural, a "visual illusion in art, especially as used to trick the eye into perceiving a painted detail as a three-dimensional object."

He explained:

"I studied the shape of the house and the location where this house stands. Suddenly the idea of making a huge bookcase hit me. I love making 3D art illusions on walls, and I like to see smiles on people's faces, and this idea (I thought meanwhile) could bring all this together."

Part of the 3D street art project was to involve the residents in the artistic process.

Jan Is De Man continued:

"We entered the community by asking people for their favorite books, and we were able to put eight languages and cultures together in the same concept. Everybody, every age, every culture, every language was welcome."

"The only rule I set up to participate in this art project was: no political books and no religious books. Besides that, every book title was welcome."

In an interview with Bored Panda, Jan Is De Man said:

"We've noticed that this project brought people together without pushing it. They meet each other through books. Regardless of the differences in cultures, regardless of the differences in political points of view. Regardless of being extreme right or extreme left. Books are magical. They tickle your brain. And everyone can read the same book, but feel something different."

By combining his street art with these literary tales, De Man is giving neighborhoods a positive spirit.