Shozy’s Mind-Bending Murals Transform Russian Apartments Into Architectural Illusions

Street artist Danila Shmelev, better known as Shozy, has mastered the art of visual deception. His large-scale trompe l’oeil murals transform ordinary buildings into mind-bending illusions, making flat walls appear to extend into three-dimensional structures—if only for a second glance.

Playing with Perception

Shozy’s work plays a clever trick on the brain, using perspective, shading, and architectural mimicry to create stunning illusions. His murals don’t just decorate buildings—they reimagine them, adding balconies, windows, and even entire sections that don’t exist.

Notable Works:

• Solnechnogorsk, Russia – A mural on an apartment complex appears to extrude from the building, adding a phantom extension where only a flat wall exists.
• Boulogne-sur-Mer, France – The side of an Ibis hotel seems to gain new rooms, as if the structure had been invisibly expanded.
• Urban Morpho Genesis Festival – His installations challenge viewers to reconsider the urban landscapes they usually overlook.

Why It Matters

Shozy’s art does more than just surprise passersby—it forces a shift in perspective. By altering familiar architecture, he makes people pause and question what they see, turning mundane cityscapes into interactive experiences.

Where to See More

While Shozy’s murals are scattered across Europe, his work is best experienced in person—where the illusion fully comes to life. Follow his latest work on his Instagram.