Wow. This hand-painted anamorphic sculpture by Thomas Medicus is called ‘Emergence Lab’, and it’s made out of six images inside a large transparent cube, spread out over 216 laser-cut acrylic glass strips that perfectly align when viewed head on from the side. Filled with silicone oil to give it the look and feel of solid glass. It’s beautiful!
More Thomas Medicus
Behind the scenes photos
Thomas’ Instagram
What is Anamorphic Art?
It’s one of the more popular optical illusions in art history: work that requires the user to have special devices or occupy certain special vantage points in order to reconstitute the image. As a form of art, it’s been in existence since the 1500s. More recent examples include Jonty Hurwitz’s work, which can only be seen through a mirrored cylinder: without the cylinder, the work is often so distorted that you can’t make out what the final image actually might be. Jonty’s process involves him 3D scanning an object and then using special software to nut out the physical forms. The renowned artist William Kentridge has also had an installation along this line, particularly with his film ‘What Will Come‘: some of his work can be found at the NGV.
Still curious? Illusion will sort you out.