Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Methods to Explore the Influence of Top-down Visual Processes on Motor Behavior
Published on: April 16, 2014
The ingenious Mr Hughes: Combining forced, flat, and reverse perspective all in one art piece to pit objects against
Thomas V Papathomas1, Nicholas Baker, Arielle S Yeshua
1Laboratory of Vision Research, Center for Cognitive Science, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
Abstract:
The artist Patrick Hughes has ingeniously painted rows of stacked Brillo boxes in Forced into Reverse Perspective. The geometry is in reverse perspective, predicting only one type of illusory motion for each planar surface for moving viewers. He "broke" these surfaces into objects by painting the boxes in three types of perspective (planar, forced, and reverse). Our experiments confirmed that he succeeded in eliciting different types of illusory motion, including "differential motion" between boxes for most viewers. In some sense, this illustrates the superiority of secondary (painted) over primary (physical) cues.
Related Concept Videos
Gestalt Principles of Perception
Drawing Free-body Diagrams: Rules
Three-Dimensional Force System:Problem Solving
To solve a three-dimensional force system, first resolve each force into its respective scalar components. Do this using...
Hydrostatic Pressure Force on a Curved Surface
Three Force Member
For example, consider a dumpster connected to a pin support at point A and a pin attached to a hydraulic cylinder at point B.
Coplanar Forces

