Was Aki Kita created to trick your eyes? Aki Kita stands before us. It is an artwork that might challenge what you perceive.
Akiyoshi Kitaoka, born in 1961, is a professor of psychology. He specializes in visual perception and illusions. He is even called a master of optical art.
Kitaoka’s work often plays with geometry, brightness, and color. His motion illusions are particularly famous. One of his most well-known creations is called Rotating Snakes. This illusion makes static images appear to move.
How does Aki Kita and other illusions work? Our brains try to make sense of visual information. Illusions exploit shortcuts our brains use. This leads to misinterpretations of what we see. Kitaoka seems to create these images through a process. He selects patterns and varies them iteratively. The patterns that give rise to the maximum illusory motion are selected.
Kitaoka’s designs have inspired artists and scientists alike. The band Animal Collective used his illusions on their album cover. Jeff Koons asked him to create illusions for Lady Gaga’s album. Kitaoka received awards for his work. This includes the Gold Prize of the L’ORÉAL Art and Science of Color contest. He also won the Award for Original Studies.
Aki Kita might seem like a simple artwork. It represents complex psychological principles. It shows us how easily our perception can be tricked. Take a closer look. What do you see? Is it moving or is it still? The answer might surprise you.