Revolving Circles

Motion 15 August 2012 No Comments Yet - Share Your Thoughts

Look at the black dot in the center of this image and move your head closer to your screen and then back again.  Do the outer circles appear to be moving?

Revolving Circles

This illusion, known as the Pinna illusion, was the first visual illusion to show a rotating motion effect.  It was discovered by Dr. Baingio Pinna.

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Swimming Pool Illusion

Anamorphosis, Video 14 August 2012 No Comments Yet - Share Your Thoughts

Brusspup had to drain his pool and used the opportunity to create a new anamorphic illusion.  When standing in a specific spot, a blue #2 pool ball can be seen in the pool.  From all other angles, the ball is distorted.

Additional footage related to the creation of this optical illusion can be viewed by reading the full post.

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Vintage Quaker Oats Illusion

Ambiguous 13 August 2012 No Comments Yet - Share Your Thoughts

In the late 19th century, Quaker Oats released a pamphlet with an optical illusion on the cover.  The paper that the Quaker Man is holding below reads , “How many packages can you count?”  Do you see six or seven packages of Quaker White Oats?  Both answers are correct depending on how you look at this ambiguous drawing.

Vintage Quaker Oats Optical Illusion

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Eiffel Tower Forced Perspective

Forced Perspective 10 August 2012 No Comments Yet - Share Your Thoughts

The Eiffel Tower, named after its engineer Gustave Eiffel, was erected in 1889 in Paris, France for the 1889 World’s Fair.  The tower measures over 1,000 feet in height.  From 1889 to 1930, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world.  In the photograph below, a giant man shows off his height by playfully placing his hand above the tower.

Eiffel Tower Relative Size Illusion

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Impossible Windows

Impossible 9 August 2012 No Comments Yet - Share Your Thoughts

Oscar Reutersvärd drew many impossible figures during his lifetime.  These figures and drawings have inspired many artists in the past and will continue to do so for quite some time.  The following example of one of Reutersvärd’s “impossible windows” was created by Catherine Leah Palmer.

Impossible Window 1

Two additional examples of impossible windows can be viewed by reading the full post.  To view other works from Catherine Leah Palmer, visit her website at Palmyria.co.uk.

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Bicycle Sculpture Optical Illusion

Anamorphosis 8 August 2012 No Comments Yet - Share Your Thoughts

This yellow bicycle sculpture is located in Milan, Italy, a city best known for fashion.  While it does not look particularly special, it happens to be an optical illusion.  Can you figure out what is going on?

Bicycle Sculpture Optical Illusion #1

The two photographs below show how the artist created this sculpture.  From two specific viewing points, it looks like a bicycle.  From all other angles, it is obvious that the sculpture is comprised of five different pieces that are spaced apart.

Bicycle Sculpture Optical Illusion #2

Bicycle Sculpture Optical Illusion #3

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Shelf Life by James Hopkins

Composite, Skull 7 August 2012 No Comments Yet - Share Your Thoughts

British artist James Hopkins transforms everyday items into sophisticated illusions.  His work below, titled “Shelf Life”, was created in 2006 for a private collection.  Does the bookshelf resemble something else?

Shelf Life by James Hopkins

To learn more about James Hopkins and view more of his works, please visit JamesHopkinsWorks.com.

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