Brands are tapping into the art space and we are noticing some pretty awesome art installations as a result. It is a precarious feat for a brand to produce art installations because it can easily go wrong and have the exact opposite of the desired effect. A branded piece of art can be viewed as too promotional, too gaudy, too imposing and an intrusion into “public space.”  However, when done right, this kind of branded experience can work wonders for a brand and achieve the desired kind of street cred. We’ve gathered some examples of  both branded and non-branded cool public (and private) art.

More images after the jump.

Nike’s 20-meter-high, 4.75-ton Ball Man made of 5,500 Brazilian Skill Balls was a huge hit during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. It was the centerpiece of a Nike installation Carlton Mall Atrium in Johannesburg. Leicester-based Ratcliffe Fowler Design created using a 3d image of Carloz Tevez. The Man was designed so that the balls remained virtually intact and can be donated to the community after the closing of the exhibition in August.

Also at World Cup, Coca Cola took advantage of the Crate Man craze and installed 54-foot CrateFan in Johannesburg’s fan park in Newtown. It was built of 2,500 Coke bottle crates and weighed 25 tons.

At the BMW Museum in Munich, the Kinetic Sculpture of 714 metal orbs seems to float in space. The orbs hang from thin steel wires attached to individually controlled motors. The orbs animate a 7-minute “mechatronic narrative,” starting from chaotic and settling at the end into the six square-meter “flying carpet.” The installation, developed by Berlin-based ART+ COM is to be “metaphorical translation of the process of form-finding in art and design.”

Originally previewed in early June, here we get an outdoors look into the upcoming Foamposite Air Force 1 for Fall 2010. This evolution sees Nike bring together the best of both worlds. Significant creative thinking and new engineering to create a three-mold process that eliminates the seams on the upper. The shoe also draws on the original Foamposite design, utilizing a midsole that allows consumers a window into the soul of the shoe. Seamless Foamposite, in an Air Force 1.

In conjunction with the Nike Sister One Campaign, East London’s ilovedust has worked together with San Francisco’s AKQA and Nike Japan to create this over a minute long animation. Incorporating the most popular elements of anime– hot girl, speed, light, colors and a Godzilla grade monster, the new animation tells a short epic story of a dancing girl who had been transformed into a superhero to save metropolitan Tokyo from a robot monster’s fiery rampage. The campaign is designed for Nike Asia, but a good video is due to be enjoyed by all!

Nike continues on a path of success in the world of commercials and ads with another stunning piece of work for their latest spot titled Human Chain. Questioning the drive and motivation of athletes, the piece features an eclectic mix of world class athletic talents including Lance Armstrong, LaDanian Tomlinson, Maria Sharapova and Rampage Jackson. The video also features the track “Ali in the Jungle” by British band, The Hours.

With the Futura x Nike campaign now underway, another colorway in the Air Force 1 series begins hitting retailers nationwide. Part of the Air Force 1 Hi pack, the kicks take on a clean grey colorway with seamless detailing, perforated features, and a translucent outsole showcasing Futura’s signature script.  Release Date : Saturday , January 23, 2010