Zoetropes, the mesmerizing pre-cinema animation devices, have inspired a unique niche in public art: outdoor sculptures designed to be viewed through their spinning mechanisms. These kinetic masterpieces blend motion, illusion, and craftsmanship to create unforgettable visual experiences.

Among the most renowned is "The Wheel" by British artist Mat Chivers. This towering steel zoetrope in Bristol Harbor uses precise LED lighting to animate its carved figures when spun at night, transforming static metal into a fluid narrative. Equally impressive is "Pulse Park" by Japanese collective teamLab in Tokyo – a field of light poles that become a giant digital zoetrope when viewed from specific angles, creating the illusion of running figures.

In New York, "The Cyclorama" by Jeffrey Shaw reimagines the zoetrope as a walk-through cylinder where viewers become part of the animation. Meanwhile, "Zoetrope" by Tim Macmillan in London's South Bank uses vertical slits in a rotating drum to animate suspended sculptures of flying birds.

These installations push boundaries of perception, proving that even in our digital age, mechanical animation continues to captivate audiences worldwide through innovative public art.