Optical illusion, change of perspective and perception to experience.
The Great Anamorphosis is a new interactive exhibit at phaeno that impressively demonstrates how easily our perception can be deceived. What looks like a distorted pattern from the outside suddenly unfolds into a clear shape from the right perspective: a striped circle.
Welcome to the world of anamorphosis - a special technique for reshaping images.
The term anamorphosis comes from the ancient Greek(anamorphosis = reshaping). It refers to images that can only be recognised undistorted from a certain perspective. Our brain only puts the image together "correctly" when the viewing angle and point of view are correct.
Well-known examples of this can be found in art history, for example in the painting "The Envoys" by Hans Holbein the Younger. The skull depicted there is only clearly visible from an oblique angle. Contemporary artists such as Felice Varini also use entire buildings to create monumental anamorphoses.
Inside the Great Anamorphosis, an experience awaits that will challenge you physically: the sloping room. Although the walls, floor and ceiling appear to be at right angles to each other, the room is inclined -
The results are astounding:
Our visual perception usually dominates all other senses. In a sloping room, your eyes say: "Everything is normal." But your sense of balance and the pressure on your feet tell you something else. This contradictory information confuses your brain - dizziness can result.
A screen in the room also shows you a live image from outside, as if the room wasn't tilted at all. A perfect example of how much we trust what we see.
The slanted room makes it clear that our perception is not an objective representation of reality - it is an interpretation. At the same time, the exhibit shows how adaptable our brain is. After a while, the senses learn to deal with the unusual situation.
The Great Anamorphosis combines art, physics, perceptual psychology and movement. It invites visitors to try out, discuss and marvel - ideal for families, school classes and anyone who wants to change their perspective.
Step inside, find the right point of view - and experience how relative reality can be.
