Illusion

December 19, 2024

This Fluffy and Round “One-Eyed“ Creature Is Real But It’s Not What You Think It Is

Could aliens be among us already? Do monsters actually live in under our beds? Are Pokémon real? If not, what is this round, one-eyed creature that has taken the Internet by storm? It’s all at once spooky and adorable, making it seem like the tricky work of AI—but it’s not! Upon closer inspection, you'll realize that this isn't a creature from outer space or some crafty Photoshop. Can you guess what it is?

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February 20, 2024

Stunning Patterned Paintings Actually Have Hidden Faces Within Them

At first glance, it would be easy to mistake Lee Wagstaff’s work for abstract, geometric paintings. But upon closer inspection—or in this case, farther inspection—it becomes clear that each of his oil paintings features a portrait of a human face staring back at the viewer. Remarkably, the portrait remains hidden until the viewer either squints or takes a step back. This optical illusion is simple but wildly effective.

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December 7, 2023

The Yellow Circle in This Optical Illusion Isn’t Actually Yellow

Optical illusions have a way of showing us how our brain works. Now, an image created by Japanese experimental psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka is another lesson in how we process color. In one of his latest images, captioned “illusory yellow,” we see three overlapping circles in cyan, magenta, and yellow, just like you'd see in representations of the CMYK model.

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June 12, 2023

Massive Mural Installations Look Like Portals to Another Dimension

Tucked into the corner of the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum is a portal to another world. Los Angeles-based artist Erika Lizée tailored this three-dimensional painting specifically to the site, making it look as though a fantastical image is suspended in front of the walls. The inspiration for this surreal work of art comes from Lizée's interest in numbers and the interconnectedness of the world.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.