Category: Optical illusion

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Cylindrical Anamorphosis of Hand With Reflecting Sphere

M.C. Escher’s 1935 lithograph Hand With Reflecting Sphere inspired artist Kelly M. Houle to create her own interpretation in charcoal on illustration board. When a cylindrical mirror is placed at the center, it produces a striking reflection. Houle explains, “When the original image is bent and stretched into a circular swath, the shadows seem to fall in all directions. When the curved mirror is used to reflect the anamorphic distortion, the forms take on the familiar rules of light and shading, making them appear three-dimensional” (Kelly M. Houle, “Portrait of Escher: Behind the Mirror,” in D. Schattschneider and M. Emmer, eds., M.C. Escher’s Legacy, 2003).

The original work.
Circular anamorphosis of the original work as seen by an observer.
Final result: 3D cylindrical anamorphosis.

Cylindrical anamorphosis is an art technique that creates distorted images that appear normal when viewed through a cylindrical mirror, manipulating perspective and light to produce a three-dimensional effect from a two-dimensional surface.

About Kelly M. Houle

Kelly M. Houle is known for her work in anamorphic art and illuminated manuscripts. Her projects often blend artistic expression with scientific themes, such as her illuminated manuscript based on Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. She has exhibited her work widely and continues to explore innovative techniques in contemporary art.

For more information about her work, visit Kelly M. Houle’s website.

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A Remarkable Op’ Artwork Selected by NASA: ‘Moona Lisa’

Today, September 14th, we are thrilled to announce that Gianni Sarcone‘s op’ artwork “The Moona Lisa” has been selected as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day for the International Observe the Moon Night. This captivating piece, created in collaboration with astrophotographer Marcella Giulia Pace, showcases a stunning arrangement of lunar images that, when viewed from a distance, reveal the iconic portrait of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Image Credit & Copyright: Gianni Sarcone and Marcella Giulia Pace

The vibrant colors of the moons are naturally derived from atmospheric conditions and sunlight reflections at various times, creating a unique visual experience. “The Moona Lisa” not only pays homage to da Vinci’s genius but also highlights the remarkable capacity of our brains to recognize faces, even when obscured.

Image Credit & Copyright: Gianni Sarcone and Marcella Giulia Pace

You can explore the full image and learn more about it on NASA’s website.

Additionally, prints of this op artwork are available for purchase in our online gallery. It’s a unique opportunity to own a piece that celebrates the Moon and reinterprets a Leonardo-inspired icon through a captivating visual illusion.

Join us in celebrating this fusion of art and science, and experience the magic of “The Moona Lisa.”

This GIF illustrates the creation process of Moona Lisa. For more details, visit Sarcone’s Behance page.

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Impossible Escape: A Topological Illusion

This is a fun and surprising escape trick for kids and family, that uses simple props:

· 1 karabiner clip,

· 1 metal ring,

· 1 loop of cord.

To begin:

1. The ring and the green karabiner clip are securely attached to the cord and cannot be removed.

2. Now, watch closely as I attach the green karabiner to the metal ring, making the setup even more complex.

3. Surprisingly, I can now simply pull the cord free.

Can you believe your eyes? Let’s try it together!

More topological magic tricks:

– https://archimedes-lab.org/2021/06/29/magic-topology-2/

– https://archimedes-lab.org/2020/06/09/magic-topology/

– https://archimedes-lab.org/2017/12/14/how-to-magically-untie-a-shoelace-double-knot/

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Journey of a Ring Along a Penrose Triangle

A neat animated tribar! It’s worth noting that the tribar, or Penrose triangle (aka Reutersvärd triangle), attributed to British mathematician Roger Penrose, was not technically ‘invented’ or ‘discovered’ by him. The geometric principles underlying its existence were already evident in Greek and Arabic ornamentation, including tiling and friezes…

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Nested Penrose Triangles

This is an illusory geometric structure that cannot exist in our 3D world. Let’s Explore its captivating depths and intrigue.

Here’s how to create this impossible structure. Start by drawing two parallel lines spaced apart from each other and divide them into 7 equally spaced lines.

Then follow the visual steps A, B, C, and D illustrated below. At the beginning (fig. A), you will need to replicate the alignment of the 9 parallel lines three times while applying a 60-degree rotation to each one, finally arranging them to form a triangle. Subsequently, follow the visual directions in B and C to obtain the figure shown in fig. D.

© Giannisarcone.com, source.

At last, you can add color and gradients to the structure as illustrated below.

© Giannisarcone.com, source.

Discover prints and merchandise featuring this op art masterpiece at my online gallery. 

© Giannisarcone.com, source.

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Illusion vs Reality

“Illusion, a derivative of reality, and vice versa.” – GS

For a little backstory… one day, a follower threw me a curveball: ‘What separates illusion from reality?’ I countered with a snap response: ‘What separates acceleration from speed?’

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Perception in Motion: Illusion, Confusion, and Zen Insight

Many perceive the two 3D cross-like shapes as moving significantly, though they remain stationary!

The interplay of color shades (light/dark) on the edges and body of the cross-like wire frames creates the illusion of motion. The alternating shadings simulate “motion blur,” leading some researchers to attribute these illusory movements to delays in luminance processing, producing a signal that deceives the motion system and induces “kinetopsia” (motion perception)..

This brings to mind an anecdote: Two Zen monks debated a flag moved by the wind. One claimed, ‘The flag is moving…’ while the other countered, ‘The wind is moving!’ The monastery’s prior intervened, stating, ‘Not the wind, not the flag; the mind is moving…’

This short anecdote serves to explain that the concept and perception of motion is sometimes ambiguous.