The Floating Waterfall

A torrent of water seems to appear in midair outside the Palace of Versailles, thundering into the Grand Canal below. The illusion comes courtesy of Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, whose Waterfall will be on display through Oct. 30. (To add an element of mystery, the artist won’t say exactly how tall it is.) From some angles, the cascade veils its mechanics. But from the side, it’s easy to see the crane supporting the pipes that pump the water skyward, creating what Eliasson describes as “a very baroque experience” meant to “celebrate our ability to be creative.”

–Julie Shapiro