New Year's Eve Before Image Optical Illusion

On New Year's Day last year after quite a wild party a friend found this image left on a car in the neighborhood.

This is different then most optical illusions it is what I call a before-image optical illusion. You have invariably seen many after-image optical illusions, the type where you stare at an image then look away and see an illusion.

This optical illusion is a before-image illusion, you stare at it and while you are staring you start to see what came before that left this image.

What do you see?

If you are partying away from home please designate a driver in advance and have safe, sane and consensual New Year's Eve experience.

Happy New Years All!


Update: Daria pointed out that the origin of this photo and possibly the real story behind it can be found here.

READ MORE - New Year's Eve Before Image Optical Illusion

Santa Claus Illusion?

Early Christmas day this jet reported striking a rather large bird. Upon landing it was discovered to be a large man dressed in red. The authorities are still puzzled how this man was struck by the jet at 10,000 feet. It has been speculated that he may have been part of a new fad of high altitude free fall jumpers.

READ MORE - Santa Claus Illusion?

Christmas Angel Illusion

Angel Of The Sunset
Copyright 2005 HippieDude
Part of his Christmas Art set
Used w/permission

Here is an optical illusion for the Christmas season.

Do you see the angel trumpeting the arrival of Christ?

Merry Christmas Everyone!






For those that can't see it here is an angel I found on Google that is similar to the optical illusion above. The angel is in the opening in the clouds above in the center of the top area.

READ MORE - Christmas Angel Illusion

Park Guell Architecture Illusion

This is an excellent photo. The architecture and the person blend to give the viewer a slightly brain bending feeling.

What is happening in this photo?

The below image is part of Park Guell in Barcelona. The Barcelona Tourist Guide says the following:

Park Guell was commissioned by Eusebi Güell who wanted to create a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy.

Guell park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. (read more)

Parc Guell by Antoni Gaudi
Copyright 2005 Müjgan
Used w/permission

The above building is leaning like this by design and the person in the photo leaning back against the building just adds to the dizzying effect that this image creates.

READ MORE - Park Guell Architecture Illusion

Checker Shadow Optical Illusion Revisited

It occurred to me today that the Checker Shadow Optical Illusion that I presented here could have been better presented if it fit my blogs color scheme so I decided to modify the original. I gave it a black background and changed the light source.

The bottom line is still the same. Square A and Square B below are the exact same color. Hard to believe isn't it?

I look at this and find it hard to believe. But I used the extension in Firefox called colorzilla which provides you with an eyedropper tool. I checked both of squares and sure enough the RGB values of the grays in both square A and square B are 135-135-135.

©1995, Edward H. Adelson (modified by Walt)

If you don't believe it print the image and cut out both squares then hold them next to each other. I have done exactly that. I know they are the same color, but my eyes refuse to allow me to see it by just looking at the picture. Try and convince yourself that they are the same color. I know it is true but I don't see it as being true.

READ MORE - Checker Shadow Optical Illusion Revisited

Starry Night Optical Illusion

Barbara, AKA Pandarine over on Flickr took the below illusion photo.

I love this photo. She did not add or remove anything from this image. This is a real photograph, although there is the possibility that she adjusted the color slightly for effect.

What do you think? How was this photo taken?

How did she capture this beautiful starry night sky?

Oh by the way there are no stars or snow in this photo.

Starry Night
Copyright 2004 Pandarine
Used w/permission

For the truth behind this illusion click on the image.

READ MORE - Starry Night Optical Illusion

Sandman's Daughter Optical Illusion

This photo was taken by Jair Ribbeiro, a Brazilian, living in Florence, Italy since 1998. Jair posed the question in his Flickr area:

"Sand sculpture or real woman covered by sand?"

Copyright 2004 Jair Ribbeiro
Used w/permission

Jair had this to say about this photo.

I was walkin' in the Farol da Barra Beach (Bahia Brazil) last August '04 when I saw this ~...~ in the sand.. It was really unbelievable..

So what do you think?

Is it possible that this is a real woman covered in sand? Could this be a woman on the beach that has been photoshopped to provide the sand texture?

Bottom line is if she takes up the family business there will be a lot of men that will suddenly become insomniacs.

Sandman \Sand"man`\, n.
A mythical person who makes children sleepy, so that they rub their eyes as if there were sand in them. [1913 Webster]

Whatever the truth is this is one interesting illusion.

READ MORE - Sandman's Daughter Optical Illusion

Fork Optical Illusions

Devil's Fork

March 1965 cover of MAD Magazine by artist Norman Mingo. MAD introduced the figure as the MAD "Poiuyt." MAD magazine bought the figure from one who claimed that it was original, but MAD soon found out that the figure had been previously published.

No one is sure who originated this optical illusion. It seems to have surfaced in various publications in 1964, including the American Journal of Psychology in a paper published by D.H. Schuster. Besides being known as the MAD Poiuyt it is known by many names The Impossible Trident, The Devils Fork and Three Stick Clevis being three of them.

Fork Illusion
Copyright Syd Mannion
Used w/permission

Being aware of the various renditions of the illusion at the top of this page Syd decided to create the above photo. He states,

I wanted to give this theoretical diagrammatic idea a "real" life existence. I entered it into a professional photographic exhibition where it won first prize.

Well done Syd!


The below image is unlike the two above. It is an actual picture of a fork. Gaja posted the following comment with this image,

"Does anyone else have trouble seeing which way this fork goes?"

Copyright Gaja J Snover
Used w/permission

So do see what Gaja saw?

I see three things with this fork.

Right off I see a fork and can tell exactly which way it bends.

The second thing I see is a weird bend down. This makes the fork appear to be abnormally bent to its right.

The third thing I notice is the same effect that Gaja noticed. As I scan the image there are times where the fork appears to bend in the opposite direction. Gaja wasn't attempting to create an illusion but did notice it later after reviewing his images.

Thank you Gaja and Syd for allowing me to present these two fork illusions here.

READ MORE - Fork Optical Illusions

Firefox Browser Optical Illusion

On Oct 19th the internet browser wars reached a milestone, Firefox hit the 100 million download mark. I'm sure that Microsoft thought that Firefox was just an optical illusion. A year ago it was barely a blip on the radar but now it has an 11.5% global market share. Here in the United Sates that percentage is higher at 14.1 percent.

Now Google has teamed up with Firefox to make Microsoft's optical illusion a giant reality ready to throw a monkey wrench into Microsoft's plan for world domination. You can be part of the team that attempts to keep Microsoft in check by clicking the button to the right and taking 5 minutes to install the worlds best browser.

(It's free and you won't have to enter any personal information)

Also by clicking on this button and installing Firefox w/the Google toolbar you are supporting this site. Google will make a small contribution for every new user of Firefox installed by clicking on the banner. If you have broadband, support this site, by taking 5 minutes and installing Firefox now. You won't regret it.

I've been using it for so long that having to use Internet Explorer drives me crazy. Its like trying to put a bike together without all of the tools required.

READ MORE - Firefox Browser Optical Illusion

Moon Optical Illusion

Have you noticed that when the full moon is close to the horizon that it appears larger than when it is high in the sky. This is known as "The Moon Illusion", I have heard of this illusion before but I hadn't thought about it in a while, that is until the last full moon.

I was driving up to my house early and I was absolutely amazed at how large the moon looked rising next to my house. I know that it wasn't any larger than normal but on this night the illusion was captivating.

Below is an excellent photo depicting this illusion.

Why does this happen?



Moonrise over the Lincoln Memorial
Richard Nowitz/National Geographic
Buy this Framed Art Print at AllPosters.com

Before we talk about why this happens, I need to establish with you the fact that the moon is no larger on the horizon than it is high in the sky. If you actually measure the size of the moon at different points across the night sky you will find that there is no appreciable difference in the size of the moon through its path.

Take the below photo (Astronomy Picture of the Day) as evidence that the moon appears the same size no matter where it is in the sky.


Moonrise Over Seattle
Credit & Copyright: Shay Stephens
So why is this illusion so compelling? I think NASA sums up the current theories nicely when they say "After all these years, scientists still aren't sure why." Below is a list of sites that explain or debunk the various theories. I'll let you decide who might be right. I just plan on enjoying the view when I see the moon low on the horizon and leave the theorizing to others.

The Moon Illusion Explained -- According to Don McCready, a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, the Moon Illusion is caused by oculomotor micropsia/macropsia.
Summer Moon Illusion -- The lowest-hanging full moon in 18 years is going to play tricks on you this week.
The Moon Illusion: An Unsolved Mystery -- a nice overview of the Moon Illusion and its possible causes.
New Thoughts on Understanding the Moon Illusion -- from Carl J. Wenning, Physics Department, Illinois State University
Experiment in Perception: The Ponzo Illusion and the Moon Explaining the Moon Illusion -- from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

READ MORE - Moon Optical Illusion

Optical Illusions in the Clouds

I believe that we have all looked up at the clouds at some point in our lives and seen images in the clouds. Some are clear as a bell, anyone could see the same thing you saw, or at least that is what you thought at the time. Since the clouds constantly change you usually don't have time to grab someone and drag them outside to see your Picasso in the sky.

Sometimes you are lucky and you are walking with a friend and point out the image that your creative eye caught only to be told that you are missing the big picture and if you look closer you'll see what your mate has cleverly detected.

With this phenomenon in mind I started searching the web for an appropriate picture that I could share here. I came across this photo on Talking to Spirit. I think this is a great photo to illustrate my point so I asked Pauline if I could use this image here.

Clouds in Oakland, CA
© 2004 Pauline Evanosky
Used w/permission

What do you see in this image?

I see three teddy bears and one is a baby hanging on the back of its father. (I actually see five bears but three are prominent.)

Well friend here is your chance to point out the big picture that I may have been missing.

READ MORE - Optical Illusions in the Clouds

Thanksgiving Turkey Optical Illusion

This illusion makes the rounds every year. I can't take credit for this inventive cooking technique and since my wife and kids will be cooking for three homeless families at the church again this year I don't think experimenting with this technique would gain me any points.

However I know many of you are up early getting ready to put the bird in the oven. Although you love doing for your family, you look around and don't see them up at this time. You, men and women, are the perfect group to experiment with this technique and report back and let us know how it worked in real life.

Take a minute or two and apply the below techniques. Don't forget to snap the digital picture prior to carving.

Good Luck and have a Happy Thanksgiving :)

1. Cut out aluminum foil in desired shapes.
2. Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan, position the foil carefully
3. Roast according to your own recipes and serve.
4. Watch your guests' faces.

READ MORE - Thanksgiving Turkey Optical Illusion

San Francisco Quake Optical Illusion

I lived in San Francisco area from 1983-87 and have many fond memories. I learned to drive a manual shift automobile, I met my wife, and I got married. My wife and I spent many a weekend in the city enjoying what this great city had to offer. While living in the Bay area we only experienced a minor quake or two, barely a rumble.

But on October 17th 1989 a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Bay area just before the third game of the World Series at Candlestick Park. This was the worst earthquake since 1906, many buildings collapsed and many others shifted off of their foundations. This picture was taken after the quake.

How is it that this building is leaning so far over yet there is no apparent damage?

© 2002 Erwin Purucker
www.panoptikum.net
Used w/permission

This is actually Erwin's daughter, thankfully she seems to have survived the shake in one piece.

READ MORE - San Francisco Quake Optical Illusion

Paradoxical Pavilion Optical Illusion

I featured this previously as the Student Union Optical Illusion. At the time I had no idea who had created this illusion. Since then I discovered that this illusion was created by Walter Wick for his book Optical Tricks.

Who is Walter Wick? You can check out his biography here. However if you have kids I'll bet you may already own a book or two that he has photographed or illustrated. That is if you have any of the I Spy series of books. It turns out I was a big fan of Walter Wick's work and didn't even know it. Click this link for Walter Wick's books @ Amazon.com

Long story short, I contacted Mr. Wick and asked permission to use this photo here on my blog. He was very gracious and has granted me permission to show this image here.

"Going Up?"
©Walter Wick, 1998
from Optical Tricks
Used w/permission

Mr. Wick took it one step further though and has allowed me to publish below exactly how he managed to create this optical illusion.

Like many optical illusions created to be photographed this one only looks complete when shot from one specific angle.

Anyone can digitally manipulate an image but few have the creative mind and patience needed to stage such an illusion. You can read Walter's comments on this illusion here.

"Going Up?" Revealed
©Walter Wick, 1998
from Optical Tricks
Used w/permission

Thank you Mr. Wick for your generosity in allowing me to post this here and as a parent I want to thank you for many hours of enjoyable time with my children trying to find all of the items in your I Spy books.

READ MORE - Paradoxical Pavilion Optical Illusion

Young or Old Man Optical Illusion

What do you see?

Do your see a young cowboy looking into the distance or a image of the face of a time worn miner?

READ MORE - Young or Old Man Optical Illusion

Metal Sculpture Optical Illusion

Sci-Art Bloggers Friday Favorites

I don't know what to make of this mechanical monstrosity. I don't know the origin of the piece, so I lack the who, what, when, where and why of this illusion.

If anyone can fill me in on the background of this image I would appreciate it.

Still I love the style of this creation.

This is the Sci-Art bloggers Friday Favorites. The Sci-Art bloggers are a group of bloggers that frequently cover that area where art and science overlap.

Below are some postings from our members that I picked for today's Friday Favorites set.

From:

Artsy Science "Retro Lab Stuff"
Bibi's Box "Books Illustrations on Blogs"
She Dreams in Digital "Animated Virtual Harmonograph"
What Is It? "This Weeks Photos"
The Daily Poligraf "Getting nearer"

As our group grows I will only put posts here that are submitted by the members. But until then enjoy some fascinating posts for this week.

READ MORE - Metal Sculpture Optical Illusion

Build This Optical Illusion Curio Shelf

Last Friday, Nov 4th, I posted a Curio Shelf optical illusion and commented that it didn't look structurally sound. I had one viewer, Daria, comment as follows

"Actually, I can think of a scenario in which this would not only be possible, but provide for a stable shelf."

I appropriately bowed down to her obvious expertise. In response Daria of Step Step Build explained in the comments section how this shelf could be built.

I understood exactly how it was possible but she went a step beyond just telling me how it could be done. She modified the original image so you could see how it could be built, notice each bracket is constructed with 2 right angles and is actually 3 edges of a cube. Of course it would only look like this from one specific angle (in this case you would have be able to see through the wall or mount it on a clear glass partition).

I think it would be great to build this shelf, mount it on a glass wall then photograph it, frame the photo and mount the photo on a wall where guests could see it. I would then have the actual curio/book shelf in use, also where guests could see it.

I wonder how many would ask why this shelf was constructed oddly and how many guests would make the connection between the photo and the shelf?

Thanks Daria, very nice.

If you still don't see how this works check out Impossible Triangle Illusion Revealed.

READ MORE - Build This Optical Illusion Curio Shelf

Technical Sketching Optical Illusions

Here are a couple of interesting optical illusions. When I went through college one of the courses I had to take was Technical Sketching. Many of my sketches looked similar to the below drawings but I think all of my drawings could actually be constructed.
I could be wrong, my professor gave me an "A" but if my drawings were even close to these he may have questioned my sanity and my mother always taught me that when dealing with a crazy person to just smile and back away slowly. :-)

READ MORE - Technical Sketching Optical Illusions

Curio Shelf Optical Illusion

Sci-Art Bloggers Friday Favorites

Would you allow your family heirlooms to be displayed on this shelf? I like the effect of this optical illusion but I'm not convinced that it would be structurally sound.

If your interested in constructing this shelve check out the update at the end of this post.

This is the Sci-Art bloggers Friday Favorites. The Sci-Art bloggers are a group of bloggers that frequently cover that area where art and science overlap.

Below are some postings from our members that I picked for today's Friday Favorites set.

From:

Artsy Science "Creepy Parasites v.1"
Bibi's Box "Top 40 Magazine Covers"
What Is It? "This Weeks Photos"

I hope you enjoy these posts selected for this week. If you have a site that might meet at the intersection of science and art drop me a line and join the group.


Update: Thanks to Daria you can now build this shelf.

READ MORE - Curio Shelf Optical Illusion

Finalist, 2005 Weblog Awards

I was lucky to be selected as a finalist for the 2005 Weblog Awards in the category of top 5001-1000 blogs. Please go to the link below and vote for Optical Illusions Etc...

Voting Begins December 5, 2005 and ends December 15, 2005
Click here to vote for Optical Illusions Etc...?
Category: "Best of the Top 501 - 1000 Blogs"

# You may vote once every 24 hours in each poll.
# After voting in an individual poll you will be locked out from voting again in that poll (on the computer you voted from) for 24 hours.

Please vote everyday and thanks for reading Optical Illusions Etc...

READ MORE - Finalist, 2005 Weblog Awards

Jesus Optical Illusion

This is an after image optical illusion. When you first look at this image it sort of looks like catwoman in her mask. But alas to see the true image you have to stare at the three dots in the center of the image for 30 seconds then focus on the white space to the right.

This optical illusion is my nod toward traditional afterimage illusions. This is only the second (here is the first) that I have put on this site, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

READ MORE - Jesus Optical Illusion

Stop It! Optical Illusion

The below optical illusion photo was setup and photographed by Claudio Gatti with a Minolta DiMAGE A1 digital camera. I love the illusion of motion created in this image. Well done Claudio!

Stop It!
© Copyright 2003-2004, Claudio Gatti

Used w/permission

Claudio Gatti says the following about this image.

I've always been fascinated by this type of perception illusions. My interest started when I studied many years ago perception and colors. I was fascinated by Johannes Itten, The Art of Color , and all his work on subjective color perception. I still have an little booklet in Italian published by Kodak ( which I included in a shot for A touch of Color) which collects several papers on this subject, with many examples of this type of effects. For the same reasons I always loved Victor Vasarely's work .

READ MORE - Stop It! Optical Illusion

Scary Optical Illusion?

I don't know how many of you have seen Ghost Hunters on the Sci-fi channel. I have been watching it and they follow a group called TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) that investigates sites to disprove hauntings. Occasionally though they come across evidence that they can't disprove or provide an explanation for.

They set up cameras and record audio and video then afterwards they return to their home base where they examine every second of the video and audio to see if anything happened. They have picked-up voices from people that weren't there and chairs moving on their own.

What I am about to link to is not from this group but is of a similar ilk. There is about 60 seconds of video of a well lit room(even more amazing this was during the day). What the cameras picked up may scare you or amaze you. If you listen close and pay attention to the screen I think you may be able to pick up on the sound of what may only be referred to as a ghost and an image that seems to come out of no where.

The only thing I don't like about this is that they could have edited it better. Although the sound (while quiet) can be heard early, the image doesn't appear for about 38 seconds.

If you still wish, go to this scary illusion and tell me what you think?

Is this real proof of live after death?

READ MORE - Scary Optical Illusion?

Recursive News Optical Illusion

Sci-Art Bloggers Friday Favorites

Check out the headline in the newspaper that this woman is reading. They say that print news can no longer compete with the internet because the internet responds and publishes news quicker and by the time some papers come out the news is old.

This image is proof positive that the print media can definitely still compete. It doesn't get much faster than reading today's news yesterday.

This is the Sci-Art bloggers Friday Favorites. The Sci-Art bloggers are a group of bloggers that frequently cover that area where art and science overlap.

Below are some postings from our members that I picked for today's Friday Favorites set.

From:

Artsy Science "Plant Tissue - Grayscale"
Bibi's Box "Military Posters of 20th century"
What Is It? "This Weeks Photos"

As our group grows I will only put posts here that are submitted by the members. But until then enjoy some fascinating posts for this week.

Update: It seems this picture inspired another, "Man spotted yesterday reading today's blog " I'm linking to it to help Derek in his quest to Super Geek-dom.

READ MORE - Recursive News Optical Illusion

Fall Foliage Optical Illusion

This creation is appropriate for the season. Fall leaves are all around us and Sandro Del Prete has a way of tricking the eye with his paintings. Do you see the Lady in the leaves?

"The Dream Taken by Wind and Time"
by Sandro Del Prete

READ MORE - Fall Foliage Optical Illusion

Fractal Animation Optical Illusion

This animated fractal spiral presents the illusion that you are in control. It says "Click and hold the mouse button to control the spiral movement" but let go and realize that in truth you had very little control the entire time.

This is just one of the many Macromedia Flash MX experiments created by Arse. His site has many interesting flash presentations. He let me share this one here for your enjoyment.

Spiral - Click and hold the mouse button to control the spiral movement
This post requires the Flash MX Player - click here to install.

Courtesy of ARSE
www.arseiam.com
Copyright 2000-2004
Used with permission

READ MORE - Fractal Animation Optical Illusion

Lego Explorers Optical Illusion

The below is a fascinating photo created by Max Giani. This is an actual photograph not a digitally manipulated image. Can you tell me how it was done?

M.C. LEGO Escher
Max Giani © 2005
Used w/permission

View the first comment for how I think this might have been done.

READ MORE - Lego Explorers Optical Illusion

Crayon Doodle Illusion or Life under the Microscope

Sci-Art Bloggers Friday Favorites

Could this image be the doodling of my 9 year old son?

or

Is this in fact "life under the microscope"?

This image I believe was photgraphed by Tracy of Artsy Science. This image was once on his old blog but the blog and post have been removed, which makes it hard for me to inform you of his exact explanation of this image. As I recall this was a stained microscopic slide of Diatoms.

What are diatoms you ask? So did I. Here is a definition I dug up from a dictionary.

diatom - microscopic unicellular marine or freshwater colonial alga having cell walls impregnated with silica.

This is the Sci-Art bloggers Friday Favorites. The Sci-Art bloggers are a group of bloggers that frequently cover that area where art and science overlap.

Below are some postings from our members that I picked for today's Friday Favorites set.

From:

Artsy Science "How secure is YOUR toilet paper?"
Bibi's Box "Fractal Recursions"
What Is It? "This Weeks Photos"
The Daily Poligraf "Check out his Yin Yang Soup"

As our group grows I will only put posts here that are submitted by the members. But until then enjoy some fascinating posts for this week.

READ MORE - Crayon Doodle Illusion or Life under the Microscope

Girl Painted on Wall Optical Illusion

Below is a very interesting optical illusion effect. The questions for consideration in regard to this image are as follows:

Are the clothes painted on the girl?

or

Is the girl painted on the wall?

Artist: Martin Armand

This is the image as I found it on the web. There was no head to give me a clue. My first impression is that this is a real girl with clothes painted on her.

However if you look closely it would be easy to believe that this girl was actually painted on the wall.

What do you think?

Update: This is the work of Martin Armand you can find more of his artwork here.

READ MORE - Girl Painted on Wall Optical Illusion

After The War Illusion

Sci-Art Bloggers Friday Favorites

Decades after the war humans begin their long journey back to the surface of the earth. Today we can only glimpse the sun and surface through protective bubbles. However we all hope that shortly we will all be able to walk on the surface again, first in full protective suits but within another 10 years the only protection needed will be SPF 1000 sun block.

This is the Sci-Art bloggers Friday Favorites. The Sci-Art bloggers are a group of bloggers that frequently cover that area where art and science overlap.

Below are some postings from our members that I picked for today's Friday Favorites set.

From:

Artsy Science "Fall Colors" Tracy's new site is up!
Bibi's Box "Polly Chandler"
Inner_Muse "Hermit Crab"
She Dreams in Digital "Cloudy Cinci Sky"
What Is It? "This Weeks Photos"

As our group grows I will only put posts here that are submitted by the members. But until then enjoy some fascinating posts for this week.

READ MORE - After The War Illusion

Devil Ladies Optical Illusion

I constantly see people searching for scary optical illusions. I have a few on this sight that might be considered scary, but like the saying there's always room for Jello there is always room for the Devil in the scary list.

So what do you see? Three ladies, the devil or three devils that look like ladies?

READ MORE - Devil Ladies Optical Illusion

Building Mural Optical Illusion

I came across this mural art on the site of Eric Grohe. Eric's site states that he "creates mural art that transforms the environment and communities as well. He believes that his art should involve, challenge and inspire the viewer; not simply adorn, but integrate with its architectural surroundings." The below is just one of many examples that can be found on his site.

Before and After

55 Diamond Court
© Eric Grohe 1998
Used w/permission
From Eric's site a description of this work.

This mural adds life and dignity to a previously nondescript corner of town.

Every window projects a different scene, captivating the viewer and creating speculation as to what is taking place within each framed vignette.

The front of the building was later painted to match the architectural details of the mural on the side of the building, making the illusion complete.

READ MORE - Building Mural Optical Illusion

The Railway Bridge Optical Illusion

Sci-Art Bloggers Friday Favorites

Here is a wonderful piece of optical illusion art created by Swiss artist Sandro Del Prete. The drawing below is titled "The Railway Bridge."

What do you think will these trains collide?

The following is from an article in The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Volume 78, October 2000.

Sandro Del-Prete was born in 1937 and went to school in Freiburg, Germany, where he obtained a diploma in commercial subjects. Drawing and painting have been his favourite hobbies since childhood, and so he spent six months in Florence, Italy, where he attended the Academy of Art. His wife Yolanda always supports him in his artistic work, and both create a charming couple; staying with them remains an unforgettable experience. Sandro Del-Prete'’s pictures are not artificial stimuli as found in books about the psychology of perception. They are works of art lovingly constructed down to the last detail. He calls his pictures "“illusorisms"”, meaning that they can be drawn, but they cannot be constructed or transformed into the world in which we live. Moreover, initially a lay observer sees every thing as normal; however, it is only after a deeper observation that he perceives that nothing can exist in reality. Del-Prete, in a genius manner, materializes the well-known psychological effect, of the difference between "“looking"” (usually the first glance of an observer) and "“seeing"” (the second glance) when things are appreciated more thoroughly in the mind. It is this specific sensation which gives his works of art the so-called "“added value"”.

Well this is the Sci-Art bloggers Friday Favorites. The Sci-Art bloggers are a group of bloggers that frequently cover that area where art and science overlap.

Below are some postings from our members that I picked for our tenth Friday Favorites set.

From:

Bibi's Box "French Kiss"
Inner_Muse "Crystalized III"
She Dreams in Digital "Parade of the Butterflies"
What Is It? "This Weeks Photos"
The Daily Poligraf "En lions"

As our group grows I will only put posts here that are submitted by the members. But until then enjoy some fascinating posts for this week.

READ MORE - The Railway Bridge Optical Illusion

Ouchi Optical Illusion

The Ouchi illusion, illustrated below, is an illusion named after its inventor, Japanese artist Hajime Ouchi. Notice how the circular disk seems to float above the checkered background as your eyes scan the image. This effect can be heightened by grabbing the scroll bar and sliding it up and down while viewing the image.

Mathworld has a good explanation of how this illusion works.

READ MORE - Ouchi Optical Illusion

Fire Spiral Fractal Optical Illusion

Also Known As

The Sunrise Wake-up Call Optical Illusion

This illusion and a cup of coffee will either get you ready to meet the day head-on or cause you to get back in bed and pull the covers over your head.

If you think that this might help you (or your college bound child) wake-up in the morning you can buy it in a full 2' by 3' version and hang it on your wall. Of course if you have too many of these kind of posters you might have to keep a supply of Dramamine on hand for your guests to help prevent nausea.

READ MORE - Fire Spiral Fractal Optical Illusion

Disappearing Fluff Optical Illusion

Sci-Art Bloggers Friday Favorites

Here is a great optical illusion that relies on after-image effects and the fact that your eye is always making small movements. Stare at the black dot in the center. What happens to the various colored fluff? How can so many various colors all disappear?

(C)2005 D.White
Skytopia

Well this is the Sci-Art bloggers Friday Favorites. The Sci-Art bloggers are a group of bloggers that frequently cover that area where art and science overlap.

Below are some postings from our members that I picked for our ninth Friday Favorites set.

From:

Bibi's Box "Cute bento boxes"
Inner_Muse "Scarab"
She Dreams in Digital "Cream Petals on Red"
What Is It? "This Weeks Photos"
Artsy Science "The end...?" This might be the end of his Blogger blog. Next Stop, "fancy-dancy super-improved Movable Type weblog"
The Daily Poligraf "Already"

As our group grows I will only put posts here that are submitted by the members. But until then enjoy some fascinating posts for this week.

READ MORE - Disappearing Fluff Optical Illusion

Optical Illusion Stroller

Here is an optical illusion that might twist your view on the world. Below we have a stroller that has the three left most wheels on the ground then cleverly the right most wheel group is off of the ground and the shadow for that wheel group is out of place.

Thomas Michael Corcoran
Used w/permission
Copyright 2004

How was this effect created? Was this done with 3-d modeling software. Was it just manipulated in an image processing program like Photoshop? Or could this be some freak of nature, a place where physics is warped and the universe doesn't play by the rules.

Let me know what you think.

READ MORE - Optical Illusion Stroller