IS IT JUST AN ILLUSION?

 

I’ll believe it when I see it!  You may have heard this saying before, but is it really true?  Can you always believe what your eyes tell you when you see something?  In this Web Quest you will learn about some famous optical illusions, view artwork by two artists who are masters at using optical illusions, and have an opportunity to either create your own artwork using optical illusions or find examples which show how optical illusions are used today.

 

 

THE TASK

 

Look at and read about some well-known illusions.

 

What are the names of these illusions?  How are they similar?  How are they different?

 

     View the artwork by M. C. Escher and John Pugh.

            How are these artists similar?  How are they different?

How do these artists use illusion?  Which artist work do you like better?  Why?

 

Apply what you have learned about illusions to create a piece of artwork that uses illusions; or create your own optical illusion….                                       OR

 

Think about artwork you have seen, whether by a famous artist, in films, in books, or in advertisements.     Describe the image you have in mind and tell how the use of illusion may apply.  If you can, collect example to create your own optical illusion file.

 

 

         

      

         

RESOURCES

ILLUSIONS:

POGGENDORFF ILLUSION

 

HERRING ILLUSION

 

MULLER-LYER ILLUSION

 

ZOLLNER ILLUSION

 

TITCHENER ILLUSION

 

ARTISTS:

M. C. Escher : Biography

 

M. C. Escher images:

 

John Pugh : Biography

 

John Pugh Images:   Page 1               Page 2                    Page 3                    Page 4

 

 

OTHER RESOUCES:

More optical illusions:  http://members.aol.com/Ryanbut/illusion1.html

 

Interactive optical illusions:  http://www.illusionworks.com/html/hall_of_illusions.html

 

Artists:  Oscar Reutersvard

 

 

THE PROCESS

 

1.       Get a print out of the questions from the teacher.

2.    Visit each of the sites in the resource section to answer each question.

3.    If you have time, explore some of the other sites to view more illusions.         

4.   Create your own work of art or an illusion.

 

TIPS

 

Be sure to use the BACK BUTTON ARROW to return to the Web Quest page.

Read through your worksheet before beginning so you know what you are looking for.

 

C

 

CONCLUSION

 

I hope you have enjoyed learning about optical illusions.  I also hope that you will be able to apply some of what you learned to create your own art and to help you understand and appreciate other artwork you may see.  Finally, if you wish to receive extra credit for your work, be sure to hand in your worksheet and your completed project.

 

 

 

1.  What are the names of these illusions?

                                a.

                                b.

                                c.

                                d.

                                e.

                How are they similar?

 

How are they different?

 

 

2.                  How are the artists M. C. Escher and John Pugh similar?  How are they different?

 

 

3.                  How do these artists use illusion?

 

 

4.                  Which artist do you like better?  Why?

5.                  Think about artwork you have seen.

Describe the images you have in mind and tell how the use of illusion may apply.  Collect samples to create a file if you can….                            

 

 OR

                   6.       Create your own artwork using optical illusions.