Art uniquely reflects both our attraction to and fear of illusions. It strives to reconcile our dueling convictions that, 1) only what we perceive is real and, 2) nothing we perceive is real. So, what’s an illusion and what isn’t? Quantum science tells us that everything is an illusion. Still, our illusions, it seems, choose us. Except in art. Art allows us choose our illusions.
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“Dream delivers us to dream, and there is no end to illusion. Life is like a train of moods like a string of beads, and as we pass through them they prove to be many-colored lenses which paint the world their own hue.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.”
~Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher
“Illusion is Reality’s coy lover who cheers him when he is grim. Illusion is cunning to his wisdom of ages, sweet oblivion to his knowledge.” ~Kresley Cole
“I’ve looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall.
I really don’t know life at all.”
~Joni Mitchell
For people like us who believe in physics, the separation between past, present and future has only the importance of an admittedly tenacious illusion.” ~Albert Einstein
“God, listen to the absurdity within us and raise us from the illusion!” ~Sorin Cerin
“And so, let us not fix our eyes what we can see, but on what we cannot see. For that which we can see is temporary, but that which we cannot see is eternal.”
~2 Corinthians 4:18
God has granted humans some amazing abilities–like the creativity to invent some of these illusions. SO clever and fun. Thank you for sharing them with us, Mitch!
My pleasure, Nancy!
Interesting images. Thanks for sharing. Is the guy with the mustache an illusion?
Sort of, San. It’s the hair of a woman standing in front of him. Do you see it?
Oh, wow! Illusion.
These amazing illusions are mind-boggling. It’s incredible that a scattering of people perfectly placed can look unmistakably like Marilyn Monroe. Thanks, Mitch. 🙂
I know, right!
Peaceful art
Mitch is the Master of Illusion with these photos. 😉 Thanks for sharing.
;>) My pleasure, Chanel.
Love the photo of the shoes! Happy day!
In one way or another, all is illusion and all is reality.
I’ve enjoyed Scott Mutter’s photos. (“Surrational Images,”) Thanks for sharing these.
My pleasure, Mark.
I liked how the article explains that illusions aren’t about things being “fake,” but about how our perception fills in gaps and makes assumptions. That idea really applies to relationships too, where names, dates, and signs often shape how we see compatibility. I’ve seen fun examples of this perception effect with tools like Use this calculator, which show how easily our minds connect patterns in love.