Kanizsa Triangle


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Kanizsa Triangle Kanizsa Square

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Copyright © 1996-2018 Alexander Bogomolny

Kanizsa Triangle

Do you perceive edgeless triangle (square)? Does this shape appear brighter than the surrounding background? (Compare this to the Simultaneous Contrast Illusion.) The effect is known as a subjective (or illusory) contour. For a recognizable simlpe shape the brain appears to supply edges. Once edges are used elsewhere the shape becomes less prominent.

References

  1. A. Seckel, The Art of Optical Illusions, Carlton Books, 2002 (#46)
  2. The Mind's Eye, Readings from SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, W. H. Freeman and Company, 1986

|Contact| |Front page| |Contents| |Geometry|

Copyright © 1996-2018 Alexander Bogomolny

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