Interactive, programmatically rendered optical illusions. Manipulate mathematical parameters in real-time, reveal underlying visual truths, and uncover the neurological mechanisms behind human sight.
When two repetitive, high-frequency line grids or concentric circle patterns are superimposed at a slight angular offset, spatial interference produces mesmerizing large-scale fringe patterns called Moiré bands.
First documented on the tiled wall of a Bristol café, staggered rows of black and white tiles separated by a neutral mortar line trick the visual system into seeing diagonal slopes.
A grid of dark gray squares on a black background separated by white corridors displays bright white dots at each intersection. As your eyes move across the grid, the dots appear to flash between white and dark gray.
Created by repeating repeating patterns of asymmetric color bands (Black -> Dark Gray -> White -> Light Gray), this illusion causes stationary figures to rotate uncontrollably when viewed outside direct foveal fixation.
Square A (outside shadow) and Square B (inside a cast shadow) appear to be radically different shades of gray. In reality, both squares share the exact same RGB color values (#707070).
First drawn by Oscar Reutersvärd and popularized by Roger Penrose, this shape depicts a solid three-dimensional object made of three straight beams that meet at right angles, yet form a closed triangle.
Developed by Danish psychologist Edgar Rubin, this famous cognitive illusion presents a double silhouette where viewers switch between perceiving a white vase or two black human profiles looking at each other.
Surrounding a central circle with large outer circles makes it appear smaller, while surrounding an identical central circle with tiny outer circles makes it appear significantly larger.
First described by Italian psychologist Gaetano Kanizsa, three black 'Pac-Man' discs and three line angles induce the vivid visual perception of an upright white triangle overlaid on top of them.
Demonstrated by Italian psychologist Mario Ponzo in 1911, two horizontal bars of identical length placed across converging lines appear unequal because the brain interprets the converging background as linear perspective depth.
Discovered by Ewald Hering in 1861, two straight parallel vertical lines appear to curve outward at the center when superimposed on a radial background of lines emanating from a central point.
First studied by Michel Eugène Chevreul, two inner target squares sharing the exact same RGB gray color appear vastly different: the target on the dark background looks bright, while the target on the light background looks noticeably darker.