Media As an Illusion

Media as an Illusion

The Museum is located on 77 8^thAvenue, New York, NY. It is at the corner of the block looking out towards the busy two-way traffic. It is just a few blocks away from the Google hardware store. The building of the museum appears pretty ordinary, nothing spectacular about it. Other than the one or two banners that hang in the front of the museum that state “Museum of Illusions” one may hardly notice the museum if they do not read the banners. The entrance to the museum consist of brochures that are neatly organized in a brochure holder on the side of the steps. The museum being located at the corner of such a busy area seemed pretty deranged. Prior to my arrival I expected the museum to be a huge space, taking up the entirety of the block it was on.

The immediate surrounding area inside the museum are white walls with a turquoise and black paint that draws out images and words. The lighting is extremely bright which makes it perfect for taking great photographs. Almost each wall is decorated with some sort of designated station. I took note of the selfie area that was filled with people taking pictures. There were drawings on the floor and walls that lined up where the photographer and person being photographed should stand in order to create the best photographs. To my convenience, behind the selfie area right behind where the photographer stood consisted of a closet for guest to keep their coats in. The museum consists of only two floors with little staff other than the individuals working at the front desk. Perhaps a custodian walking around ensuring the museum is kept tidy, but there is no staff that is stationed to explain the illusion of certain exhibits. All these optical illusions do of course draw my attention. Such as the mirage of a pig in the in a bowl that appears to be a physical object but is not. I go to touch the pig and realize there is nothing in the bowl at all. Pretty cool I thought! Another configuration I found fascinating was a curved stick planted on a table which you spin that is supposed to go straight through a cut out shape of a straight line. I thought to myself how is this curved stick supposed to fit if they are clearly not the same shape. To my surprise when I swung the table around it went straight through the cut out shape. To my understanding of the illusion was the stance in which you are observing the stick makes it look like it is impossible to fit. However, if you perceive it from a specific angle it actually does make sense that the stick indeed would fit through the straight cut out surface.