Is seeing really believing? Can one truly trust the senses? This is the eye-opening concept behind ILLUSION, a new exhibition from the Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin currently displaying at the Petrosains Discovery Centre in Suria KLCC.
Launched on 10 September by the Guest of Honour, Irish Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Ambassador Eamon Hickey and the Chief Executive Officer of Petrosains, Tengku Nasariah Tengku Syed Ibrahim, the showcase is themed Nothing Is As It Seems, and aims to challenge your perception, making you question the world around you.
Chief Executive Officer of Petrosains, Tengku Nasariah Tengku Syed Ibrahim presents a token of appreciation to Guest of Honour, Irish Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Ambassador Eamon Hickey
Using a mix of art, psychology and science, ILLUSION explores how our minds can be tricked by sensory deception through a series of stunning artworks and exhibits which were made by some of the world’s most talented artists, scientists, designers, engineers and technologists, dealing in all manner of magical illusions.
Curated by psychologist and best-selling author Richard Wiseman, and researched by magician and escapologist Paul Gleeson, some of the mind-boggling things you will witness include an imaginary haircut, a mysterious floating figure, a painting that appears to be 3-D, an oil-can that appears to absorb a stream of oil back into itself, and bugs crawling on your skin.
The virtual barber exhibit
Is our perception of depth another illusion?
A staff member demonstrates the use of illusions in card tricks
The crowd marvels at the Seated Child exhibit at ILLUSION
Adding glamour to the opening ceremony was popular up and coming local actress Juliana Evans, who was invited to emcee the event, while the brilliant KL Young Singers surprised guests with a spine-chilling acapella performance, charming the crowd during the tour of the exhibition.
Recently showcased in the United States, Kuala Lumpur is ILLUSION’S first venue in Asia, and is set to bend people’s perceptions with visual trickery of the highest order.