Literal Optical Illusions

The Trick: Literal Optical Illusions

Optical illusions are processed through the body's visual system and are misinterpreted by the mind. Within optical illusions, there are three types: cognitive illusions, physiological illusions, and finally literal optical illusions. A literal illusion is an image created by smaller images that are in no way related to the larger, overall image created.

Literal Optical Illusions Explained

When the mind receives visual information, it will fill in details or gaps that do not actually exist. The eye and brain will choose and focus on specific objects which causes on part of the image to appear one way or the other. Depending on what the brain chooses to focus on, it can perceive two different images in one.

The picture of the elephant is a standard example of a literal optical illusion. The artist only drew the elephant's legs without feet and then feet without the elephants legs. However, since our mind uses edges to identify objects, it sees more than four legs. This creates a confusion with our understanding that elephants only have four legs.

Face On Mars and Smile in the Sky

These are two classic examples of literal optical illusion. In this first photo, there are two possible ways to perceive it: a rocky side of mars or a human face protruding from the ground. The image of the human's face is made up the smaller pieces of rocks and craters, and the rocks and craters are no way related to the human face. Again, literal optical illusion occurs in this second photo of the sky. One can either see three birds or a face in the sky, and the face in the sky is made up of the birds.

All Is Vanity by Charles Allan Gilbert

This piece is very striking and makes subtle statements on society's focus on superficial appearances. Naturally, the viewer's eyes will be draw to the women in the mirror, but then explore the image until skull jumps out of picture. I enjoy that this seemingly innocent piece suddenly has a darker undertone that surprises the audience. In addition, I liked the piece's message that once a person begins to only be the person in the mirror, life is just full of empty vanity.

Bakery by Octavio Ocampo

I chose this piece again because I liked the darker meaning behind it. It seems like just a peaceful photo of a woman in her bread shop, but then when a person scans the photo, multitudes of skulls comes to overwhelm the photo. The literary illusion is executed nicely by the simple bread on the shelves and baskets. In addition, the skull in the center formed by the smiling woman is subtle symbol that's handled well. I enjoyed the message of how normal and common things can have their darker and evil counterpart.

Reflection

From this assignment, I became fascinated with finding more pieces that utilized literal optical illusions, and even though I found at least thirty interesting photos, each of them surprised me in a new way. In addition, I enjoyed how the pieces I found weren't just using the optical illusions to simply trick and surprise the audience, but used the optical illusion to convey their message more strongly. Now, I would like to use literal optical illusions in future art works.