Magic

Ken Josephson, Postcard visit, Stockholm

This photograph, perhaps more than any other, demonstrates the magic of the human visual system. We see two more or less identical patterns of ink on the page, or in this case patterns of pixels on the screen. We interpret one of them as a three dimensional object and the other as a two dimensional card. What a powerful demonstration of the power of the human brain.

And what a reminder that we use context in making every judgment, that we can never be a neutral observer.

(Image taken from the website of the Yancey Richardson Gallery)