Optical Illusion

Because I'm trying to create an architectural design which breaks rules of practicality, I've decided to do some research on optical illusions. Like I've mentioned in my last post about Japanese architecture, I noticed that my favourite most inspiring buildings included some form of optical illusion - use of metal beams going in different directions and angles helping to warp the shape.

Ouchi Motion
Whilst moving your head the circle in the centre would appear to move due to how the block lines are vertical in the circle whereas around it the lines are horizontal. This illusion can be rather intense if you look at it for too long - making you feel rather dizzy. This could be effective if I use it in my designs but can be too over powering.

Twisted Cord Illusion
All the lines seem to bend when really they are all perfectly straight. This is due to the pattern in the line and the two contrasting colours used - white and black. This'll be useful to use to make walls change shape. Would it work with different colours? - purple and yellow? red and blue?

Physical Model of the Impossible Triangle
If you look at the model at a certain angle you can see the famous impossible triangle, but any other angle and it looks like a random design. I could possibly include this in my design but it may be difficult to make because by the look of it I have to be very precise on the angle I cut.

Simultaneous Orientation Contrast
The lines in the two circles look tilted because of the angled lines surrounding it when really they are perfectly vertical. This illusion reminds me of the interior of both Ando and Endo's work with how the lines would change angles.

Zollner Illusion
The lines are completely straight and parallel in this illusion but appear on the wonk. It also is really hard to think that they are straight and parallel as no matter how hard you look you can not see it. This will be caused by the pattern in the squares, which are all identical but rotated. Again would be a good illusion on the walls.

By looking at all this illusions it has helped me a lot to understand how they work and how I could incorporate it into my work: such as using stripes going against each other in different angles to manipulate the surface and warp its appearance.



Sources:
Optical Illusions by Bruno Ernst
Optical Illusions by Al Seckel
Ouchi Motion picture from mathworld.wolfram.com
Twisted Cord Illusion picture from www.pinterest.com
Impossible Triangle picture from psylux.psych.tu-dresden.de
Simultaneous Orientation Contrast picture from Al Seckel's Optical Illusion book
Zollner Illusion picture from Al Seckel's Optical Illusion book