Twitter was ablaze last week with a mind-boggling optical illusion that showed a 3D arrow that can’t point left no matter which way you turn it. The creator behind the “impossible” object is Kokichi Sugihara, a professor of engineering at Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan, and one of the world’s foremost illusion artists.
We asked Professor Sugihara 5 Questions ahead of his talk at the National Museum of Mathematics in NYC this coming Tuesday featured on Cool NYC Events.
Congratulations on your 3D arrow optical illusion going viral last week! How did that make you feel? Why do you think it went viral?
I am glad to see that my illusion attracts people. I think there are many reasons. This object is sold by a Japanese publisher, its visual effect is new, and the illusion is strong in the sense that we can enjoy with our two eyes.
Besides being incredibly fun to look at, what are some of the more practical or scientific uses for optical illusions?
Scientifically, optical illusions can be new material to investigate human vision systems. More generally, they give us chance to re-consider “what is seeing.” Furthermore, especially to young people, they show the power of mathematics.
To compensate for its slowness, scientists say that our brains have essentially evolved to become advanced prediction machines. Are optical illusions merely the result of these brain predictions?
Yes. The task of reconstructing 3D structures from 2D images is ill-defined problem in the sense the solution is not determined uniquely. So the brain must do predictions.
Is it possible for computers to be programmed to independently conceptualize these “impossible” objects or is a human engineer always necessary?
A human engineer is necessary. Computers, equivalently mathematics, can tell what is possible and what is impossible strictly. The sense of impossibility for existing objects is based on human brain activities. So the psychological aspect is necessary.
Your 3D illusion work has garnered you numerous awards already. What work are you most proud of and why?
I like ambiguous cylinders most, because their illusion is strong so that we can enjoy illusion without closing one of the eyes.
Meet Kokichi Sugihara this Tuesday, August 13th 2019 at 6:30pm at the Museum of Mathematics in NYC. Tickets available here.