These aren't AI work; these are real clouds that have snuck inside spaces like museums, galleries, and even premium hotels. And frankly, we are obsessed.   

For over a decade, Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde has been creating actual clouds inside some of the most unexpected places. Since 2010, his "Nimbus" series has transformed everything from grand ballrooms and stark white galleries to abandoned warehouses into something straight out of a dream. 

Born in 1978 in Groningen and now based in Amsterdam, Smilde uses nothing more than smoke, water vapor, and a mastery of light to create fluffy clouds that hover briefly before vanishing into thin air.  

These clouds last only seconds, disappearing almost as quickly as they appear. But Smilde works with photographers to capture these fleeting moments and preserve them as striking photographs.

Each cloud is tailored to its environment, with Smilde adjusting size, shape, and density to match the space. Beyond the Instagram-worthy spectacle, his work explores deeper themes: the beauty of impermanence and the wonder found in fleeting moments.

In the digital age, these clouds bring an incredible sense of authenticity, offering a glimpse of the fleeting beauty in impermanence.

Photography: Berndnaut Smilde