Anamorphosis

 Anamorphosis  

Anamorphosis is an art in which a distorted picture or projections are drawn which appears normal when viewed from a certain angle or from a certain point or with the help of a suitable mirror or lenses.  The word anamorphosis is derived from the Greek prefix ‘ana’ which means  “back” and the word ‘morphe’ which means “shape”. This type of art is in huge demand today. It is used by media, advertisers, painters, and others.  

  

This art also has a great history. It was used in prehistoric cave paintings in order to fool the outsiders so that they do not get into the caves. The earliest known example of this art was the  “Leonardo’s Eye” which was executed by the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci. He has used this art several other times later on. Another well-known example of it was “The Ambassadors” which is made by  Hans Holbein the Younger who was well known for the oblique anamorphic transformation in the painting. In his artwork, a  distorted shape lies diagonally across the bottom of the frame.  

Anamorphosis entered the industry of entertainment in the 18th century and afterward it spread widely. In the 20th century, artists began to play with the perspective by drawing “impossible objects”  such as impossible triangles. These impossible objects are very similar to the real object but they can do things that are impossible to do with real objects. So, these drawings are made in such a way that  if you see from the desired angle then it will be very hard for you to differentiate between the real object and that drawing.  

Some of the famous designs having this art include “Ames room”  which was constructed by Adelbert Ames who was an American scientist. These rooms were constructed in such a way that it resembles a common room when viewed from a certain angle and other than that angle it appears that the room is constructed by trapezoids having irregular shapes. Earlier, these types of effects were used during the Renaissance.  

You might have observed that in many movies or serials, some  people are shown much smaller or larger than they really are. These  types of effects are actually created by these arts. Ames room also  has the property to show these types of optical illusions. You can also  see the uses of these arts in roads where words are written obliquely or in ambulances on which it is written in reverse so that it can easily be observed by front vehicles through a window mirror (which is convex and makes the image reverse) so that it can give passage to the ambulance. 

In Anamorphosis, drawings are drawn on the paper or charts very  technically. When anybody sees it then it looks like nothing more than a child drawing and when a mirror or lens is kept in front of it, then  original drawing comes into the picture. Thus, no doubt, to draw these types of painting one should be extra creative and should have proper training.  

Anamorphosis is very famous in North America and in some countries of western Europe. In these places, various paintings having this type of art are used on walls. This makes the wall look wonderful. This art really has the potential to make the world more beautiful. If you think that you are creative enough then you should try your hands in this art.  

Article By- Abhas Raj