art @ IIT Presents The Art of the Illusion
art @ IIT at Illinois Institute of Technology will premiere the work of vision scientist Akiyoshi Kitaoka. Known for his expertise in the science of illusion, his exhibit, “The Art of the Illusion,” includes 36 moving illustrations that challenge visual perception by intentionally inducing misperception. The opening reception will be held Thursday, March 9, 4:30–7:30 p.m. in the Kemper Room Art Gallery, located at the Paul V. Galvin Library. Professor Susan Kelly, Illinois College of Optometry, will discuss the exhibit and answer questions about visual illusions.
The images in the exhibit reveal wheels that rotate; shapes that shrink and expand, slide sideways, up and down; and form a wave pattern, and straight lines that shimmer. All images exhibit the illusion of motion, yet none of the images move.
Kitaoka constructed these illusions by assembling repeating shapes and varying their color, size, and position. The relationships thoroughly explore the inability to differentiate a perceived image of an object and the knowledge of its actual physical properties. Why these images work the way they do is not fully understood, however, their effect is undeniable.
This exhibit is curated by Robert J. Krawczyk, art @ IIT gallery director and assistant professor in the College of Architecture.
The exhibit will run March 2–April 9. Hours are Monday–Thursday, noon–6 p.m.; Friday, noon–5 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, 2–6 p.m
Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.
