DARWIN ILLUSION
- Richard Wiseman, Rob Jenkins

How does it work?
The illusion combines two visual effects. First, staring at the picture produces a negative afterimage, in which the black and white pattern is reversed. Second, the 'resolution' of the afterimage is lower than the actual image, and so the thin white lines vanish, making it impossible to see the monkeys.

In biology, 'adaptation' refers to the gradual process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment. For example, humans and monkeys evolved from a common primate ancestor. Psychologists use the term adaptation to refer to rapid changes in perceptual sensitivity, including the brain’s adjustment to brightness that gives rise to the negative afterimage in the illusion. So, in both senses of the word, our commemorative Darwin illusion shows adaptation in action!

Basing the illusion around an afterimage also seemed especially appropriate as Erasmus Darwin (Charles Darwin's grandfather) carried out pioneering research into this curious optical phenomenon.

How was it created

darwin illusion

INITIAL RESEARCH and INSPIRATION:
i came about this idea on the internet where there was a negative image of a girl who you could not recognise but once you had looked at the image for 30 seconds or so then looked at a white wall you could see the image perfectictly. i went about researching the concept and found a psychologist who had made one of charles darwin and explained his process. i liked how his image was completely different to drawins face and was very illustrative and cartoon like. its initial appeal was in the unique drawing but one stared at it became darwin.
IDEAS and DEVELOPMENT:
like the other images i wanted to myself create a negative image of someones face and illustrate it. for my first try i used Ray Mears' face. i wanted a face that was recongisable and a subject matter i would enjoy. i used the same method shown above. using a light box to give me the intial outline and having fun with the design. here is my first attempt. ............i like the image inside the face but i am unsure wheather there is too much detail which stop the negatory transition once looked at for 30 seconds.
MY interpretations of the methods::

David Attenborough.

just a couple of weird experiences/ dreams i've had since the project started:

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HAD A RIDICULOUS JOURNEY

as we drove home we were listening to some weird songs, classical fm came on. we thought the song had ended but quiet bass strings appeared and the music started to narrate every part of our journey. we began in wooded area along a country road the music was loud energetic, came to a roundabout with civilisation, music calmed down and became gracefull with the curves of the roundabout and roads. we sweareved with the music and it would fluctuate as we went over hills and got tense aorund sharp corners. it rose up when an on coming car appeared and got excitable once we'd passed. then a short soft part as we got to moulds home and to traffic lights. but as we realized mould was going to have to drop everyone off the music become more abrupt and chaotic; we look over to see a police car parked at the lights. danger in the music. it settles down once we pass and are we are relieved as is the music. short bursts of strings coincide with the bumps on the road and as we pull in to drop rorie home the music perfectly stops as we get outside his house. musical journey over.

ive checked the list of music on the classic fm website and none of the songs have the same vibe. maybe it was meant to be that it could not be found.

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MORE WISEMAN....

one of the phycologists that helped create the image of darwin, his blog explores puzzles and all types of illusions. it is fun to look and find the hidden images aswell as figure out how the illusions work.