I adore negatives that are also positives – anything that can be seen more than one way. I grin like a fool at two-toned silk fabric, figure/ground logos, mowed baseball fields, vacuumed-patterned rugs, and even double entendres like
Flintstones’ slogan “10 Million Strong and Growing!” I can’t resist stroking Ultrasuede up and down, tracing designs in it over and over.
Most of all, I love optical illusions. My analytical brain admires and respects the ingenuity of their creators. My creative brain loves the visual play, the gentle mind-tickling surprises.
It’s no wonder I was smitten by the art of anamorphosis – both catoptric (mirror) anamorphoscopes and oblique (slant) anamorphosis. In both forms of anamorphosis, just like in life, your view changes depending on where you stand.
Speaking of viewpoints, here’s a really effective drawing lesson –
the upside-down chair technique.
Teacher inverts a chair and tells students to draw only what they see – not a chair, but positive forms and negative shapes. It gets students to truly SEE the chair they’re drawing, not just represent it dismissively as a familiar symbol. A real eye opener every time!
My Fun Exercise – How Negatives Can Be Positives
5 Reasons NOT to Buy Morph-O-Scopes Kits, Packets and Party Fun Packs
1. You might get a concussion (smacking yourself in the forehead and moaning, “Why didn’t I buy these sooner?!”)
2. Your heart could race (“Why is my little one being so quiet in the other room?”)
3. You’ll think you’re hallucinating (What?! Do I really see the kids sharing a toy?”)
4. You might go hoarse (“Stop coloring the morphs already! Your ice cream is melting!”)
………………………………………………………………………………………………5. You could become very depressed (“Man, ……………………………………………………………………………………………….Morph-O-Scopes are a tough act to follow!”)