At first glance, these clouds may look AI-generated, but they’re 100% real! Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde creates fleeting indoor clouds that last just 10 seconds—long enough for the perfect shot. A masterpiece of art and science that we just had to share.
Smilde has mastered the art of crafting fleeting, miniature clouds that appear to defy nature, hovering momentarily in enclosed spaces before dissolving into thin air. His Nimbus series, which began in 2010, transforms locations ranging from cathedrals to coal mines into surreal dreamscapes. Each cloud is meticulously created through a delicate balance of humidity, temperature, and light—an illusion so perfect it seems almost impossible.
He starts by adjusting the environment of a space, increasing the humidity to near saturation. Often, he covers vents and allows the room to sit for days to create the ideal conditions—cold, damp, and completely still. Then, using a fog machine, he introduces a fine mist into the air, and carefully sprays cold water droplets which cling to the smoke particles. At just the right moment—when the temperature, air currents, and moisture levels align—the mist condenses into a perfectly fluffy cloud. A well-timed photograph captures the illusion before it disappears, leaving only an empty room and the lingering memory of something impossibly beautiful.
Creating the perfect image is no easy task. For every final shot, Smilde might generate up to 100 clouds, capturing each attempt to ensure he gets the most striking composition. The entire moment lasts only about 10 seconds, making his work a delicate dance between art and science.
By placing something as natural as a cloud in an unnatural setting, Smilde invites us to see the familiar in an entirely new way—a reminder that beauty is often temporary, but unforgettable.
