I believe that one of the most impressive examples of a-life I have ever seen is the one that corresponds to the simulation of the minimal cell JCVI-syn3A. Check the paper "Fundamental behaviors emerge from simulations of a living minimal cell" by Thornburg et al.
Anicka Yi‘s recent exhibition in the turbine hall at the Tate Modern springs to mind. It was incredible. It was like having massive jellyfish flying around you.