Illusion

I chose to work with the illusion of negative space. Negative space is a type of bistable perception, where it is possible for the viewer to see multiple images from the same shapes depending on how they interpret the artwork. Negative space artwork is one of the easier examples of bistable perception, since most instances are intentionally made quite obvious or are a matter of mentally selecting one or two main colors to view as the background, and all of the rest as the foreground objects in the image.

Examples in the world

Visuals or scenes that present sharp contrasting colors to each other can provide a natural form of negative space.

Although many natural occurrences of negative space do not form any type of meaningful shape or image, we can see the same image from multiple perspectives based on what we interpret as the foreground or background.

Examples in Media/Art

The famous image, Rubin's vase. Depending on the color selected as the background, the viewer can see either a vase (white with black background) or two faces (black with white background).

One of the most classic real-world examples of negative space, the FedEx logo features an arrow created by the inside edges of the "Ex."

This poster from Brave shows a bear formed from the space not occupied by Merida's hair.

Reflection

This illusion seems to be almost exclusively man-made, as there are very few actual instances of it in real life. Certainly it is one that I can incorporate into my own artwork, which would make it more dynamic and interesting in general.

4 comments · Latest by Judy Mai

Your negative space examples are really interesting and cool to look at! I personally really loved the last one with Merida and the bear, and I never noticed that Fedex had the arrow (I'll see that logo in a new light for the rest of my life). I think your project would have greatly benefited with more documentation and research. Perhaps incorporate more aspects of art and explain more about how the use of negative space can be used in other ways or how you would like to use it.

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MediaSynth 3.1 - Ignis fatuus

About

To research an illusory phenomenon and describe instances of this illusion in both art and real life.

Negative Space