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Examples of optical illusions. Visual illusions

11/15/2016 11/16/2016 by Vlad

An optical illusion is an impression of a visible object or phenomenon that does not correspond to reality, i.e. optical illusion. Translated from Latin, the word “illusion” means “error, delusion.” This suggests that illusions have long been interpreted as some kind of malfunction visual system. Many researchers have been studying the causes of their occurrence. Some visual illusions have long had a scientific explanation, others have not yet found an explanation.

Don't take optical illusions seriously, trying to understand and solve them, it's just how our vision works. This is how the human brain processes visible light reflected from pictures.
Unusual shapes and combinations of these pictures make it possible to achieve a deceptive perception, as a result of which it seems that the object is moving, changing color, or an additional picture appears.

There are a huge variety of optical illusions, but we tried to collect the most interesting, crazy and incredible ones for you. Be careful: some of them can cause tearing, nausea and disorientation.

12 black dots

For starters, one of the most talked about illusions on the internet is the 12 black dots. The trick is that you can't see them at the same time. Scientific explanation This phenomenon was discovered by the German physiologist Ludimar Hermann in 1870. Human eye stops seeing the full picture due to lateral inhibition in the retina.

Impossible figures

At one time, this genre of graphics received such wide use, which even received its own name - impossibilism. Each of these figures seems quite real on paper, but to exist in physical world it simply can't.

Impossible trident

Classic blivet– perhaps the most striking representative of optical drawings from the “impossible figures” category. No matter how you try, you will not be able to determine where the middle prong originates.

Another shining example– impossible Penrose triangle.

It is in the form of the so-called "endless staircase".

And "impossible elephant" Roger Shepard.

Ames room

Issues of optical illusions interested Adelbert Ames Jr. early childhood. After becoming an ophthalmologist, he continued his research into depth perception, which resulted in the famous Ames Room.

How does the Ames room work?

In a nutshell, the effect of Ames's room can be conveyed as follows: it seems that in the left and right corners of its back wall there are two people - a dwarf and a giant. Of course, this is an optical trick, and in fact these people are of quite normal height. In reality, the room has an elongated trapezoidal shape, but due to false perspective it appears rectangular to us. The left corner is farther away from the visitors’ view than the right, and therefore the person standing there seems so small.

Movement Illusions

This category of optical tricks is of greatest interest to psychologists. Most of them are based on the subtleties of color combinations, the brightness of objects and their repetition. All these tricks mislead our peripheral vision, as a result of which the perception mechanism gets confused, the retina captures the image intermittently, spasmodically, and the brain activates the areas of the cortex responsible for recognizing movement.

floating star

It's hard to believe that this picture is not an animated GIF, but an ordinary optical illusion. The drawing was created by Japanese artist Kaya Nao in 2012. A pronounced illusion of movement is achieved due to the opposite direction of the patterns in the center and along the edges.

There are quite a few similar illusions of movement, that is, static images that appear to be moving. For example, famous rotating circle.

Moving arrows

Rays from the center

Striped spirals

Moving figures

After the zebra disappears in the second picture, you can verify that the movement of the yellow and blue rectangles is synchronized.

Changeling illusions

The most numerous and fun genre of illusion drawings is based on changing the direction of looking at a graphic object. The simplest inverted drawings just need to be rotated 180 or 90 degrees.

Horse or frog

Nurse or old woman

Beauty or Ugly

Cute girls?

Flip the image

Girl/old woman

One of the most popular dual images was published in 1915 in the cartoon magazine Puck. The caption to the drawing read: “My wife and mother-in-law.”

The most famous optical illusions: old woman girl and vase profiles

Old people/Mexicans

An elderly couple or Mexicans singing with a guitar? Most people see old people first, and only then their eyebrows turn into sombreros and their eyes into faces. The authorship belongs to the Mexican artist Octavio Ocampo, who created many illusion pictures of a similar nature.

Lovers/dolphins

Surprisingly, the interpretation of this psychological illusion depends on the person’s age. As a rule, children see dolphins frolicking in the water - their brains, not yet familiar with sexual relationships and their symbols, simply do not isolate two lovers in this composition. Older people, on the contrary, see the couple first, and only then the dolphins.

The list of such dual pictures can be continued endlessly:

Does this cat go down or up the stairs?

Which way is the window open?

You can change direction just by thinking about it.

Illusions of color and contrast

Unfortunately, the human eye is imperfect, and in our assessments of what we see (without noticing it ourselves) we often rely on the color environment and brightness of the background of the object. This leads to some very interesting optical illusions.

Gray squares

Optical illusions flowers are one of the most popular types of optical illusion. Yes, squares A and B are painted the same color.

This trick is possible due to the way our brain works. A shadow without sharp boundaries falls on square B. Thanks to the darker "surrounding" and the smooth shadow gradient, it appears to be significantly darker than square A.

Green spiral

There are only three colors in this photo: pink, orange and green.

The blue color here is just an optical illusion

Don't believe me? This is what you get when you replace pink and orange with black.

Without a distracting background, you can see that the spiral is completely green

Is the dress white and gold or blue and black?

However, illusions based on color perception are not uncommon. Take, for example, the white-gold or black-and-blue dress that conquered the Internet in 2015. What color was this mysterious dress really, and why? different people Did you perceive it differently?

The explanation of the dress phenomenon is very simple: as in the case of gray squares, everything depends on the imperfect chromatic adaptation of our visual organs. As you know, the human retina consists of two types of receptors: rods and cones. Rods capture light better, while cones capture color better. Each person has a different ratio of cones to rods, so the determination of the color and shape of an object is slightly different depending on the dominance of one or another type of receptor.

Those who saw the dress in white and gold noticed the brightly lit the background and decided that the dress was in the shade, which means White color should be darker than usual. If the dress seemed blue-black to you, it means that your eye first of all paid attention to the main color of the dress, which in this photo actually has a blue tint. Then your brain judged that the golden hue was black, lighter due to the sun's rays directed at the dress and Bad quality photo.

In reality the dress was blue with black lace.

Here's another photo that baffled millions of users who couldn't decide whether it was a wall in front of them or a lake.

Wall or lake? (correct answer is wall)

Optical illusions on video

Ballerina

This crazy optical illusion is misleading: it is difficult to determine which leg of the figure is the supporting leg and, as a result, to understand in which direction the ballerina is rotating. Even if you succeed, while watching the video the supporting leg may “change” and the girl seems to begin to rotate in the other direction.

If you were able to easily fix the direction of the ballerina’s movement, this indicates a rational, practical mindset of your mind. If the ballerina rotates in different directions, this means that you have a wild, not always consistent imagination. Contrary to popular belief, this does not affect the dominance of the right or left hemisphere.

Monster faces

If you look at the cross in the center for a long time, your peripheral vision will frighteningly distort the faces of celebrities.

Optical illusions in design

An optical illusion can be a spectacular help for those who want to add zest to their home. Very often “impossible figures” are used in design.

It seemed that the impossible triangle was doomed to remain just an illusion on paper. But no - a design studio from Valencia immortalized it in the form of a spectacular minimalist vase.

Bookshelf inspired by the impossible trident. The author is Norwegian designer Bjorn Blikstad.

Here is a shelving unit inspired by one of the most famous optical illusions – parallel lines by Johann Zellner. All the shelves are parallel to each other - otherwise what would be the use of such a cabinet - but even those who purchased such a rack a long time ago find it difficult to get rid of the impression of slanted lines.

The creators were inspired by the same example. Zellner rug».

Of interest to lovers of unusual things is a chair designed by Chris Duffy. It appears to rest solely on its front legs. But if you risk sitting on it, you will understand that the shadow cast by the chair is its main support.

An optical illusion is an impression of a visible object or phenomenon that does not correspond to reality, that is, an optical illusion. Some visual illusions have long had a scientific explanation, others still remain a mystery.

Optical illusions: optical illusion

The information collected by our eyes is in some way inconsistent with the source. Optical illusions can cause serious headaches. Therefore, such things need to be treated with caution.

There are three main types of illusions:

1. Literal optical illusions

These optical illusions are considered the simplest. They are characterized by a difference in the image (that is, the perception of the image) and the actual tangible objects that make up the picture.

A literal optical illusion makes us see completely different objects or figures from those shown in the pictures.

2. Physiological optical illusions

These illusions affect the eyes and brain by overstimulating a certain type (brightness, color, size, position, tilt, movement).

3. Cognitive optical illusions

These illusions are the result of our brain's misperceptions and unconscious inferences.

We continue to collect the coolest optical illusions. be careful: some of them can cause tearing, nausea and disorientation.

So, each of the following optical illusions can blow our minds

Do you see three pretty girls?

Now let's flip the image

Our brain rarely encounters upside-down images, so it cannot notice distortions in them

Illusion 13 people

Initially we see 12 people here, but after moving, another one appears, the 13th

Which way is the window open?

You can change direction just by thinking about it

Distortion of perception of movement

These blocks do not move one after another - their speed is the same

Fill color

Look at the black dot in the center. Keep looking at it as the picture changes.

Did you see a color photo? Now take your eyes away from the point.

Contrast simulation

The squares on the left side seem to be darker than the squares on the right

However, they are actually the same color

Ames room

Room irregular shape, used to create a three-dimensional optical illusion, was designed by American ophthalmologist Albert Ames in 1934

Dynamic brightness gradient

Slowly move your eyes closer to the screen and the “light” in the middle will become brighter

Move it back and it will become weak again.

Vanishing points

Focus your gaze on the green dot in the middle

After a while, the yellow dots will disappear one by one. In fact, they remain in place, it's just that static frames disappear from our consciousness if they are surrounded by constantly changing images.

Four Circles Illusion

None of them actually intersect

Droste effect

Droste effect - looping recursive image

Illusion of perception

The color of the stripe in the center is actually uniform and the same along the entire length

moving poster

Roll your mouse wheel up and down and you will see the poster “moving”

Selective perception

There are two photos here, and there is one difference between them

Try to find it, and once you notice the difference, it will be impossible not to see it.

Optical illusions: pictures

Which of these faces belongs to a woman and which to a man?...

Wrong... The pictures show the same face

Is this the same picture? Yes.

There is NO lake in the picture

Tilt your head and look closely at the image

This is not a bird

The picture shows a painted female figure

This floor is flat

These two monsters are the same size

The orange dots in both pictures are the same size

How many legs does an elephant have?

Are you sure of what you see?

What a wonderful picture of cars.

Or are they toy cars?

Optical illusion - pictures of illusions with explanations

Don't take optical illusions seriously, trying to understand and solve them, it's just how our vision works. This is how the human brain processes visible light from reflected images.
Unusual shapes and combinations of these pictures make it possible to achieve a deceptive perception, as a result of which it seems that the object is moving, changing color, or an additional picture appears.
All images are accompanied by explanations: how and how long you need to look at the picture to see something that is not really there.

For starters, one of the most discussed illusions on the Internet is 12 black dots. The trick is that you can't see them at the same time. A scientific explanation for this phenomenon was discovered by the German physiologist Ludimar Hermann in 1870. The human eye stops seeing the full picture due to lateral inhibition in the retina.

These figures move at the same speed, but our vision tells us otherwise. In the first gif, four figures move simultaneously while they are adjacent to each other. After separation, the illusion arises that they are moving along black and white stripes independently of each other. After the zebra disappears in the second picture, you can verify that the movement of the yellow and blue rectangles is synchronized.

Look carefully at the black dot in the center of the photo while the timer counts down 15 seconds, after which the black and white image will turn into color, that is, the grass is green, the sky is blue, and so on. But if you don’t stare at this point (to amuse yourself), the picture will remain black and white.

Without looking away, look at the cross and you will see a green spot running along the purple circles, and then they will completely disappear.

If you look at it for a long time green dot, the yellow dots will disappear.

Stare closely at the black dot and the gray stripe will suddenly turn blue.

If you cut a chocolate bar 5 by 5 and rearrange all the pieces in the order shown, an extra piece of chocolate will appear. Do this trick with a regular chocolate bar and it will never run out. (Joke).

From the same series.

Count the football players. Now wait 10 seconds. Oops! Parts of the picture are still the same, but one football player has disappeared somewhere!

The alternation of black and white squares within four circles creates the illusion of a spiral.

If you look in the middle of this animated picture, then you will walk down the corridor faster, if you move your gaze to the right or left, then you will go slower.

On a white background, the gray stripe looks uniform, but it is white background change, as the gray stripe immediately acquires many shades.

With a slight movement of the hand, the rotating square turns into chaotically moving lines.

The animation is obtained by overlaying a black grid on the drawing. Before our eyes, static objects begin to move. Even the cat reacts to this movement.

If you look at the cross in the center of the picture, your peripheral vision will turn star faces Hollywood actors into freaks.

Two pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. At first glance, the tower on the right appears to lean more than the tower on the left, but in fact both of these pictures are the same. The reason is that the human visual system views two images as part of a single scene. Therefore, it seems to us that both photographs are not symmetrical.

Which direction does the subway train go?

This is how a simple color change can make the picture come to life.

We look for exactly 30 seconds without blinking, then we turn our gaze to someone’s face, an object, or another picture.

A workout for the eyes... or for the brain. After rearranging the parts of the triangle, suddenly there is free space.
The answer is simple: in fact, the figure is not a triangle; the “hypotenuse” of the lower triangle is a broken line. This can be determined by the cells.

At first glance, all the lines seem to be curved, but in fact they are parallel. The illusion was discovered by R. Gregory at the Wall Cafe in Bristol. That's why this paradox is called "The Wall in the Cafe."

Look at the middle of the picture for thirty seconds, then move your gaze to the ceiling or white wall and blink. Who did you see?

An optical effect that gives the viewer a false impression of how the chair is positioned. The illusion is due to the original design of the chair.

English NO (NO) turns into YES (YES) using curved letters.

Each of these circles rotates counterclockwise, but if you fix your gaze on one of them, the second circle will appear to rotate clockwise.

3D drawing on asphalt

Which direction does the Ferris wheel rotate? If you look to the left, then clockwise, if to the left, then counterclockwise. Perhaps it will be the other way around for you.

It's hard to believe, but the squares in the center are motionless.

Both cigarettes are actually the same size. Just place two cigarette rulers on the monitor, top and bottom. The lines will be parallel.

Similar illusion. Of course, these spheres are the same!

The droplets sway and “float”, although in reality they remain in their places, and only the columns in the background move.

Visual illusions are an incorrect perception of the surrounding reality. The eye "scans" the image and the brain interprets it differently than what is actually displayed. As a result, a person sees something that is not even depicted.

Visual and optical illusions are one and the same phenomenon. Their history dates back to the ancient Greeks or Leonardo da Vinci. In a sense it is possible say that art works with this phenomenon one way or another.

Most optical distortions are based on entanglement human brain color (for example, the Hermann grid in the illustration on the left) or shape.

A large group consists of ambiguous pictures, where you can see two unrelated plots at once.

And only by focusing on some specific details and alternately switching between them, you can see several different images.

Other misconceptions are based on misconceptions wrong point vision or incorrect spatial perception. Visual illusions include:

Geometric illusions

As the name suggests, geometric distortions do not correspond to the actual geometry of the image, leading to misinterpretation. There is a central theory that is divided into categories:

a) size and direction: the experience we have gained and physiological processes, resulting from our perception, contribute significantly to our misjudgment of size and direction.

The category of distortions we have indicated includes the Sander illusion (in the illustration above): it seems that two diagonal lines in parallelepipeds are different in length - the diagonal in the right one is smaller than in the left one. But in fact, they are the same.

b) size contrast: It seems to us that a circle of a certain given size in a ring of smaller circles has a smaller diameter than exactly the same figure, next to which there are circles of much larger diameter.

In fact, the centers have identical circles.

c) corner: Such images are distorted by viewing angle. For example, the “Zollner figure”. It seems like long diagonal lines that suddenly interrupted by short segments, not parallel to each other.

Changing the direction of segments located at an acute angle to the lines appeals to spatial perception, and the cerebral cortex perceives the picture from a geometric point of view incorrectly.

What is reality and what is illusion? These questions have occupied the minds of sages since ancient times and continue to do so today.

As a result of these thoughts, during the Renaissance, the whole art of anamorphic drawings was born, created with a certain approach based on the effect of optical distortion.

This technique is as old as the hills, but lately it has become more and more interesting. contemporary artists and finds realization in various manifestations.

The most amazing thing about this artistic movement is that the drawings at first glance look completely incomprehensible, deformed, incorrect, and one can only guess what is hidden in the image.

The only thing that will help you see the real plot in this situation is a cylinder with a reflective surface, which needs to be placed in the right place.

Interaction of figures and ground

When it comes to the perception of optical distortion, there is no evidence that there are significant differences between men and women. However, they are perceived differently depending on how old you are.

A small child, not yet spoiled by the world around him, sees swimming dolphins and nothing more. For an adult, there is a factor of surprise here, because what you expected to see is not what the artist actually depicted.

Benefits for science

Although at first glance such pictures are nonsense, just entertainment, but thanks to optical distortions, scientists can most accurately understand how the human brain works.

For example, brain damage can lead to changes in a person's behavior, and a patient's observation of visual distortion can help doctors identify the damaged area.

In the 2010 Illusion Contest, Kokichi Sugihara won first place with his paper structure with four slanted troughs.

It seems that the balls are breaking the laws of gravity and rolling upward, but this is not so.

Brief hallucination

Consider an example of optical distortion that leads to a short-term hallucination.

This video was specifically designed to induce a short-term, naturally induced hallucination. Expand it to full screen and set the highest resolution (720p HD) in order to enjoy the maximum effect.

Read out loud all the letters that appear on the screen and try not to make a mistake. When the video ends, look around you.

Warning: Do not watch this video if you suffer from photosensitive epilepsy.

“Which square is lighter? Which of the two lines is longer? Anyone who has ever encountered such images knows that these are trick questions.

The top circled square on the chessboard seems darker to us than the bottom one. However, both squares are the same color.

Our brain does not compare colors, it analyzes the situation.

Both lines are also the same length. We can measure them manually, because our eyes and brain refuse to believe it.

"Tilted and highly leaning towers"

This is perhaps the most amazing visual illusion, because it is so simple and yet striking.

Believe it or not, both images of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa that you see next to each other are completely identical.

However, in the picture on the right it looks like it's tilted more, right? The brain assumes that the lines of the towers should converge at one point according to the rules of perspective, and since this does not happen, it considers them not parallel.

Who do you see in the following image: a young girl or a guy?

Richard Russell, who creates visual illusions, has discovered that simply by changing the relative contrast of the eyes and mouth, you can make a girl's face appear masculine. Otherwise both photographs are identical.

Unusual village

The city of Verkoren in the Swiss Alps became the “canvas” for the optical illusion of author Felice Varini in real life.

If you stand at a certain point, you can see circles drawn on top of the houses, and the city itself looks flat, like on a postcard. From other places only fragments of lines and arcs are visible.

Crazy Shapes

So we've seen enough a large number of pictures of visual illusion various types. Mirage images entertain people, but also help explain the workings of the human brain. Every year more and more examples of this phenomenon appear, and individual samples become hits on the Internet.

Finally, watch one more video. Even though you understand how the 3D effect is created, don’t stop your brain from suddenly “clicking” and plunging into creating 3D nuts that aren’t actually there.

Examples of visual illusions in life

You've probably seen visual illusions many times, but didn't know what they were: in school assignments, in job tests, and on various Internet sites. Let's look at the most popular and interesting views visual illusions.

Illusions of visual perception

The main characteristic of illusions is the partial distortion of the shape, size and other parameters of an object. You probably learned about many illusions in school. The most popular: against the background of curves, lines are depicted that appear convex. In fact the 2 lines are parallel. In psychology, this effect is called the Hering illusion (or fan illusion).

In a mathematics textbook you can find variations of this visual illusion. On all of them, the background is lines arranged in the shape of a fan. Such phenomena refer to visual distortions. A mathematical example is the Zoellner illusion. Shown are lines crossed out in small diverging segments. The lines appear to be pointing in different directions, although in fact they are parallel. Illusions include many other effects.

Illusions of size perception. Which square is larger: white on a black background or black on white? Which object is larger: surrounded by small or big circles? These riddles are also in the textbook for grade 2. The answer to both the first and second questions is the same: they are equal. These illusions are based on the fact that light always appears larger. Similar laws of perception are widely used in wardrobe selection and interior design.
Color illusions. Bright pictures are often published on the Internet with a proposal to count how many shades there are in them. The figures are arranged and colored in such a way that it is easy to get confused. The answer is simple: usually only 2 colors are used.
Upside down pictures. Another popular type of Internet entertainment, which you could also find in the textbook for primary class. Portraits of an old woman and a young woman, a student and a professor, a soldier and a horse - all these are optical-geometric illusions. There is a variety - dual images. They do not need to be turned over to be viewed. Step back and see pictures that are not visible at first glance.
“Look at this image for a minute and don’t blink” - perhaps each of us has passed such a test at least once. Such optical illusions have a scientific name - the aftereffect. Examples: a light bulb that “lights up”, stripes that change color, etc.
Moving pictures. If you look at them for a few seconds without looking away, it may seem as if they are moving. This effect is created using geometric shapes, located in a certain way.

These are the basic illusions, but there are many more. How did they come about? Why can our eye see 2 images in one?

The nature of visual illusions

The phenomenon of illusions is easily explained with scientific point vision. Research Even a schoolchild can create one on this topic. Let us answer the question: what is the structure of the eye? In other words, how do we see? Light passes through the pupil and lens. The impulse is then transmitted to the nerve using the retina. The brain reads this impulse and reproduces visual image. But this image is imperfect: the picture is upside down, blurry and in constant motion. The brain constantly has to correlate 2 images: from the left and right eyes. Therefore, the brain is easy to deceive. This is how illusions arise. There are several basic phenomena, and illusions are their derivatives.

Irradiation. This phenomenon underlies illusions of size perception: squares and stripes on white and black backgrounds. Due to the structure of the lens, light surfaces appear larger to us.
Blind spot effect. Blind spot- This is a small insensitive segment in the eye. That's why sometimes we don't notice some of the images. This effect is the basis of pictures in which one element disappears if you look at it with one eye for a long time.
Astigmatism is a congenital vision defect that occurs in 99% of people. It consists of unevenness of the cornea or lens. If you rotate the image of black lines in front of you with one eye closed, the lines will blur and disappear.
The phenomenon of perceptual readiness. Another name is the illusion of information processing. Surely you have noticed that perception is influenced not only by objective, but also by subjective factors (accumulated life experience, mood, natural influence etc.). Examples of this phenomenon in Everyday life can be found in the work of a proofreader: he finds errors in the text so quickly that to many it may seem like a miracle.

The phenomenon of visual illusions has been known since ancient times. Observing the life of the animal world, scientists noticed an unusual phenomenon. Some animals have an innate ability to adapt to environment, merge with her. For example, white coloring in polar animals (bears, owls), sandy skin color in animals living in the desert (lizards, foxes). The discovery of this feature marked the beginning of the study of illusions. Later this phenomenon received a scientific name - mimicry. It can manifest itself not only in color, but also in body shape and even sounds in animals.

What is the role of illusions in everyday life? Modern research shows that they have a good effect on our health. First of all, exercise is a great workout. eye muscles, improve vision. Secondly, they have a positive effect on our attention.

In addition, illusions are used in many fields: art, fashion, interior design.

The use of illusions in clothing

You've probably heard that polka dots and white colors make you look fat, and in order to look visually slimmer, it is better to wear clothes with vertical stripes. These are visual illusions in clothing. There are many principles that can significantly improve appearance. This can be achieved using illusions of visual perception.

Having learned to use optical illusions in clothing, you can look new every day, highlight your figure’s advantages and hide flaws. And most importantly, you will begin to treat yourself differently: you will become more confident and happier.

Illusions in the interior

Optical-geometric illusions are very often used by designers to create interiors. Not everyone can afford the perfect apartment. Often you have to find compromises and try to profitably use every meter of space. Optical-geometric illusions can help with this. Which of them are relevant for the interior?

The light one seems bigger. This common rule is known to many. Feel free to buy light wallpaper if you have small apartment. You can add brightness to the interior with the help of accessories. Another trick: make one of the walls in the room contrasting. This trend is increasingly becoming part of a modern design project.
The stripes are lengthened. An ornament of vertical and horizontal stripes will expand the space. In small rooms it is better not to glue striped wallpaper to all walls. Using a small piece will look better. Lines can also be used as a bright element that distracts attention. A painting with a pattern going deep, a wall with uneven stripes - these illusions will steal the spotlight. This way you will hide the imperfections of the room.
3D wallpapers and 3D floors are now at the peak of popularity. They influence the perception of space. In a small room, stick photo wallpaper on one wall: it will greatly increase the space.
Illusions can be the basis for the design of furniture and decorative items. Invisible shelves, a hanging table - these items are a kind of art object in your interior. They attract the eye, and the shortcomings of the room cease to be noticeable.
Lighting effects also affect our impression of a room. For example, if the room has bulky elements, lighting will “lighten” the interior and give it airiness.
Depicting illusions is an excellent option for creating an interesting and unusual interior. A painting, poster, carpet, in which the illusion is hidden, will not only decorate the room, but also provide entertainment for guests. You can spend a lot of time trying to unravel the mystery that the object hides.

Psychology has given us many ways to decorate our homes. The main thing is not to get carried away. Let only one bright element be the main one in the room, and the rest be neutral. Don't forget: home is a place where you want to relax.

Illusions and art

Few people know that illusions in art existed as a separate direction. In the 20th century, op art, or optical art, appeared. Artists belonging to this movement used optical, spatial illusions and many others in their works. The masters saw their goal as making a person’s imagination work and imagining unusual images. The works of this direction seem to play with our vision, deceive it.

To create such effects, various materials are used: glass, plastic, fabric. Disorientation of vision directly affects nervous system person. Therefore, presentations of objects in this direction were often accompanied by scandals: visitors could faint, many began to feel dizzy.

This direction has not lost its relevance to this day. Today, the principles of op art are often used in advertising. You can detect his influence in other areas: photography, sculpture, graphics.

But long before the twentieth century, artists actively resorted to visual illusions, and sometimes made them the basis of their work. Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo became famous for his upside-down pictures. He depicted vegetables, fruits, and flowers so that they would create the image of a person. If the picture is turned over, we will see a still life. Surrealists often used illusions in their work. Some of the most famous: Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali. For example, in Dali’s work “The Vanishing Image,” depending on the angle, the artist’s face or the figure of a woman will be visible. Non-academic geometry, non-existent figures, transformations - these are not full list what the Dutch artist Maurits Escher used in his work.

Modern Art

Tim Noble and Sue Webster are modern British masters. At first glance, their installations and presentations may seem to make no sense. But when light is directed at objects, unusual shadows appear. You can spend a lot of time in the museum looking at them.

Liu Bolin is an artist who does not use conventional materials. The world- here is his canvas. The master selects an object in the city wall (wall, shop, etc.) and merges with it. He does this with the help of assistants: they paint over the artist while he stands motionless for many hours. His presentations are extremely popular on the Internet.

There are several Museums of Optical Illusions in Moscow: not far from Old Arbat, at VDNKh, near the Central House of Art. The very first one (bestmuseum.ru) opened in 2014.