Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and ApplicationsLuckiesh, Matthew
Science
Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications
Luckiesh, Matthew
Optical illusions
This appears to be a convenient place to insert an illusion of area based,
doubtless, upon form, but angles must play a part in the illusions; at
least they are responsible for the form. In Fig. 60 the five figures are
constructed so as to be approximately equal in area. However, they appear
unequal in this respect. In comparing areas, we cannot escape the
influence of the length and directions of lines which bound these areas,
and also, the effect of contrasts in lengths and directions. Angles play a
part in all these, although very indirectly in some cases.
[Illustration: Fig. 60.--Five equal areas showing the influence of angles
and contrasting lengths.]
To some extent the foregoing is a digression from the main intent of this
chapter, but it appears worth while to introduce these indirect effects of
the presence of angles (real or imaginary) in order to emphasize the
complexity of influences and their subtleness. Direction is in the last
analysis an effect of angle; that is, the direction of a line is measured
by the angle it makes with some reference line, the latter being real or
imaginary. In Fig. 61, the effect of diverting or directing attention by
some subtle force, such as suggestion, is demonstrated. This "force"
appears to contract or expand an area. The circle on the left appears
smaller than the other. Of course there is the effect of empty space
compared with partially filled space, but this cannot be avoided in this
case. However, it can be shown that the suggestions produced by the arrows
tend to produce apparent reduction or expansion of areas. Note the use of
arrows in advertisements.
[Illustration: Fig. 61.--Showing the effect of directing the attention.]
Although theory is subordinated to facts in this book, a glimpse here and
there should be interesting and helpful. After having been introduced to
various types and influences, perhaps the reader may better grasp the
trend of theories. The perspective theory assumes, and correctly so, that
simple diagrams often suggest objects in three dimensions, and that the
introduction of an imaginary third dimension effects changes in the
appearance of lines and angles. That is, lengths and directions of lines
are apparently altered by the influence of lines and angles, which do not
actually exist. That this is true may be proved in various cases. In fact
the reader has doubtless been convinced of this in connection with some
of the illusions already discussed. Vertical lines often represent lines
extending away from the observer, who sees them foreshortened and
therefore they may seem longer than horizontal lines of equal length,
which are not subject to foreshortening. This could explain such illusions
as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. However this theory is not as easily applied to
many illusions.
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