This Amazing Moving Octopus Illusion by Artist Pearl Whitecrow Brown uses illusory motion to create the perception that the colorful octopus is actually moving.
Stare at the design and you’ll see the octopus appear to move slightly as if it was naturally swaying in an ocean current.
Illusory motion is a perceptual phenomenon in which a stationary image appears to be moving. It occurs when visual cues in the image trick the brain into perceiving motion, even though there is no actual movement taking place. If you are interested, scroll down to learn more about it.
Table of Contents
- What is Illusory Motion?
- How does Illusory Motion work?
- Some Similar Illusions
- Discovery of the Illusory Motion
- References and Resources
What is Illusory Motion in the Amazing Moving Octopus Illusion?
Illusory motion is a perceptual phenomenon in which a stationary image appears to be moving. It occurs when visual cues in the image trick the brain into perceiving motion, even though there is no actual movement taking place.
Illusory motion can be caused by a variety of visual cues, including patterns of light and shadow, color gradients, and geometrical shapes. One well-known example of illusory motion is the motion aftereffect, also known as the waterfall illusion. This occurs when a person views a rapidly moving image, such as a waterfall, for an extended period of time. Afterward, when they view a stationary image, such as a static picture of a landscape, it appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
Another example of illusory motion is the peripheral drift illusion, in which a stationary image with a pattern of black and white stripes appears to be moving in a circular or spiral pattern. This illusion is thought to be caused by the way in which the visual system processes information from the peripheral areas of the retina.
Illusory motion is a fascinating example of how the brain can be tricked into perceiving motion, even when there is no actual movement taking place. It is also a useful tool for studying the mechanisms of visual perception and the ways in which the brain processes complex visual information.
How does Illusory Motion in the Amazing Moving Octopus Illusion Work?
Illusory motion works by exploiting the way in which the brain processes visual information. The visual system is composed of a complex network of neurons that are responsible for processing different aspects of the visual scene, such as color, shape, and motion.
When an image is presented to the eyes, it is first processed by the retina, which converts the light into neural signals that are sent to the brain. These signals are then transmitted to different areas of the visual cortex, where they are further processed and integrated into a coherent representation of the visual scene.
Illusory motion occurs when visual cues in the image trick the brain into perceiving motion, even though there is no actual movement taking place. This can happen in several different ways, depending on the specific type of illusion being experienced.
For example, the motion aftereffect illusion occurs when a person views a rapidly moving image for an extended period of time. This causes the neurons in the visual system that respond to motion to adapt and become less responsive to the original direction of motion. When the person then views a stationary image, the neurons that respond to motion in the opposite direction become more active, leading to the perception of motion in the opposite direction.
Similarly, the peripheral drift illusion occurs when a stationary image with a pattern of black and white stripes is presented to the eyes. The stripes create a pattern that mimics the motion of a rotating spiral or circle, tricking the brain into perceiving motion.
In both cases, the illusion is created by manipulating the way in which the visual system processes information. By understanding how illusory motion works, researchers can gain insights into the mechanisms of visual perception and the ways in which the brain processes complex visual information.
Some Similar Illusions to the Amazing Moving Octopus Illusion
If you liked the the Amazing Moving Octopus Illusion, you should check out these Colorful Illusory Motion examples and these cool Black and White Illusory Motion examples.
Discovery of Illusory Motion
The phenomenon of illusory motion has been known for centuries, and many different individuals have contributed to its discovery and study. However, it is difficult to credit any one person with its discovery, as it has been studied by many researchers from a variety of fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and visual arts.
One early example of illusory motion can be seen in the work of the ancient Greek artist Zeuxis, who was known for creating paintings that appeared to be moving. In the modern era, researchers such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Joseph Plateau, and Ernst Mach made significant contributions to the study of illusory motion, laying the groundwork for later work in psychology and neuroscience.
Today, illusory motion continues to be a subject of ongoing research and study, and many researchers from around the world are actively working to uncover the underlying mechanisms and implications of this fascinating perceptual phenomenon. While the discovery of illusory motion cannot be attributed to any one individual, its study and exploration has been a collaborative effort across many different fields of research.
References and Resources
Check out our complete list of illusions.