Ambiguous Pictures

Dynamic Projections of Non-Euclidean Space

The art historian Ernst Gombrich reminds us that the 2-dimensional image is ambiguous. It represents infinite possibilities of 3-dimensional Euclidean configurations. Rather than designing the pictorial space to represent a certain reality according to the conventions of drawing, this provocation proposes a 3-dimensional reality that responds to a fixed constraint—a planar picture plane—forcing physical objects to morph in deference to it. Illusions work because they manipulate our established understanding of well-acquainted realities (in our built environment, this is largely orthogonal Cartesian geometry). By accommodating the hyperbolic distortions of reality in visual space, our spheroidal field of vision is embodied in forms in real space to appear to look “correct,” or familiar, from certain points. From all other (infinite) points in space, those same objects appear to liquefy, creating the illusion of constant deformation of form in real time. Here, perspective provides cognitive perceptions of objects (in pictorial space) with topological and typological identities different to those belonging to the same objects in reality.

The light source represents the human eye; the surface of the shelf represents the picture plane; and the shadow represents the image that we would see on that picture plane. The models invite the public to interact with the dynamic light sources in order to witness the deformation of the projection of a 3-dimensional object onto the picture plane (the shelf surface).

2016-17
Irving Innovation Fellowship Research
Photos Courtesy Harvard GSD Exhibitions

Link to Feature on Harvard GSD Website