Be careful not to belly flop into this beautiful, alluring swimming pool. The pool in these pictures is actually an art installation created by artist Jereon Bisscheroux. What seems to be a picturesque swimming pool is actually a floor painting of one, titled Pool, loss of color. In this clever optical illusion, Bisscheroux depicts a deteriorating and abandoned swimming pool. In addition to the attraction of this interactive installation (with the public eagerly “playing” and taking pictures in it), his work actually carries historical and political undertones. He aims to explore two Japanese tragedies within his work: the tsunami in 2011 as well as the meltdown of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. To him, water is both calming and serene, and yet can also cause catastrophe and disaster. The sense of desertion and emptiness evoked form this artwork is also representative of the loss experienced after these tragic events occurred in Japan.  Positive emotions many Japanese affected by the tragedies might have with playing in a swimming pool are also coupled or overshadowed with the frightening depths of the tragic events. 

“Bisscheroux wanted to create more awareness that tragedy isn’t just something that happens on the other side of the world, but it can, in fact, happen right in your backyard. It brings these issues, like the events in Fukushima, into the forefront so we don’t forget about the people affected.” 

Sources and Images from design-milk