Anamorphisms are typically created by distorting perspective (linear
or non-linear). However, the cohesion produced by perspective may be
accomplished in another way. In the art object above, cohesion is
accomplished by color. The artist chooses a specific view point. The
artist then projects colored straight lines (though curvilinear lines
can be chosen too) onto different surfaces. Theses lines drawn on the
different surfaces may then be filled by a color. If the ensemble of
colored surfaces are then viewed from the same view point, then the
art object coheres as a single object. In the example above, the
different red colored) surfaces can be seen
below left and right. When viewed from the view point, these colored
surfaces cohere or come together as the single art object (above).
This image may be further distorted anamorphically (for example, the
above image can be photographed, and the photograph then distorted
with a secondary catoptric or dioptric anamorphic distortion,
click here to see.
.
Note that these "color anamorphisms" are composed of an ensemble of
components, and when viewed from the correct position, the final
art object comes together. Thus it is possible to "encode" a sexual,
political, religious or other "hidden" message in the components,
not understood until the ensemble is viewed from a specific view point.
Click here.
.
Some of the artists associated with color-anamorphisms include
Georges Rousse, Felice Varini, and Fanette Guilloud. There are other
schools of art which may be related. For example, "op art" produces
special effects of depth and motion using color alone. If one were to
take the color anamorphic art of someone like Georges Rousse, and
used colors which would produce the effects of op art, they would be
combining op art with color anamorphism.
Optical: the image is recognizable only when observed with the
naked eye from a particular viewpoint (most relevant, here);
Catoptric: the image appears correctly when reflected in a mirror;
Dioptric: the image is recognizable when viewed through a lens;
These issues are relevant to the art of Felice Varini, and the
other artists discussed here. 1
1
Varini, Felice; Lopez-Duran, Fabiola; Müller, Lars;
"Felice Varini: Point of View", Lars Müller Publishers, 2004.
See: Anamorphosis, Catoptrics and Dioptrics, pp. 97-111
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