Whether on a computer screen or a piece of paper optical illusions can be mesmerizing. These optical illusions provide an intriguing example of how the brain processes sensory data to create the impression of reality.
The lines that flex and buckle forms that pop out and color variations – all of these are part of optical illusions. Human visual systems are constantly perceiving the light colors, distance, and dimensions.
What is an optical illusion?
An optical illusion occurs in the event that an image confuses eyes and brain. In one-tenth of a second, the visual system can send hundreds of images to the brain. The brain organizes the information through defining boundaries, analyzing different areas of contrast, sorting colors and even guessing based on previous experiences what it should be able to see.
It can sometimes get things wrong. This is not an issue with your eyes or the brain. It’s simply the result of a misperception about what you are seeing. Similar illusions are experienced through other senses. If you have an insect crawling on your arms, it could appear to be going downwards.
There are three types of optical illusions: literal, mental and physiological. The physiological illusions seem to be moving, but are in fact still images. They are caused by excessive stimulation of the brain’s sensors as they attempt to discern the movement of a scene from one that’s not moving. This type of illusion can include things such as the Ponzo Illusion, where two lines appear to have different lengths.
Optic Illusions in Advertising – -
Optical illusions are used in museums, psychology classes as well as by your hippie buddy with posters adorning his walls. You probably didn’t think they could also be used for advertising. They are extremely effective in drawing attention to people and creating a sense of movement or, in certain cases, crinkly eyelids.
Jane Pain, a popular brand of lingerie, has recently launched an optical illusion campaign featuring busts and bums on their products. If you examine them closely to the image, however, you’ll observe that the body parts not covered are actually elbows and knees.
The Kit Kat truck is another amazing optical illusion that is used in ads. It looks like the driver is sitting in hammock instead of being driven. This optical illusion is an excellent method to draw attention of people and to convince them to take a break and indulge in eating a Kit Kat. The commercial also makes use of perceptual setting and priming to make a positive impression to the brand.
Artistic optical illusions
Optical illusions are an increasingly popular component of modern art, with pieces like Bridget Riley’s swirls of stripes and spots, and MC Escher’s ever-ending staircase and Penrose triangle being well known examples. Since the Renaissance optical effects have been an essential element of art. Artists utilized the camera obscura technique and linear perspective to make incredible trompe-l’oeil illusions.
It is often geometric in its nature. Op art is not representational and makes use of lines, shapes and blocks of color to give the impression of movement, hidden images or swelling or warping. Its popularity first began in the 1960s, with the work of Victor Vasarely and the 1965 exhibition The Responsive Eye, which gave the movement greater exposure to the public.
Joseph Albers, influenced by the Op Art movement, explored how colors interact and influenced one another. In his Homage to the Square paintings, Albers layers colored squares over one another to examine the ways that different colors influence our perception of depth and form.
Optical illusions in Music
The latest optical illusion that is making the around is one that’s musical. The illusion is created by the same musical notes. They give the appearance of lyrics when playing simultaneously on an instrument.
These clever illusions are a perfect illustration of the way your brain absorbs information from your senses and makes use of it to create a perception of the world around you. This can happen naturally or through a deliberate process our brains are extremely powerful.
Artists like Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely experimented with illusionary effect in their work. Soto went even further, creating immersive installations that blurred lines between the viewer and the artwork inviting viewers to interact with his art.