The contest juryBest visual illusion of the year 2009, which each year selects the bestoptical illusionscreated by computer, has already released its verdict in its fifth edition. As in previous years, scientists, artists, programmers and even some magicians have participated, who with their proposals not only manage to amuse the spectators but also help tounderstand how our brain works.
The first prize went to Arthur Shapiro, from Bucknell University, with an animation showing arotating ballas it falls in a straight line. Surprisingly, when we look at the ball with the corner of the eye we perceive that the trajectory draws a curve. Shapiro says that this phenomenon could explain why it is sometimes so difficult to hit the ball in a game ofbaseball.
The second place is occupied byColour dove, an optical illusion created by Israeli scientists that reveals the misleading perception of“ghost colors”using a simple animation of a bird hovering over colored skies. The bronze has been forSex illusionby Richard Russell, showing howthe same face can be interpreted as male or femalesimply modifying thecontrast in lighting.
Complete gallery of winners and finalists
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