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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:49
Methods to Explore the Influence of Top-down Visual Processes on Motor Behavior
Published on: April 16, 2014
Summary
Maurits Escher's impossible figures captivate viewers due to their novelty and the brain's struggle to process them. This visual conflict, involving the hippocampus and parahippocampal place area, offers insights into perceptual processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Art History
- Perceptual Psychology
Background:
- Maurits Escher's 'impossible figures' are renowned optical illusions.
- Their enduring appeal and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Investigating factors beyond aesthetics is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the origins of optical illusions in Escher's art.
- To understand the role of the perceptual system in processing these illusions.
Main Methods:
- An explorative literature search was conducted.
- Databases included PubMed, Science.gov, and Google Scholar.
- Historical literature was also reviewed.
Main Results:
- 'Impossible figures' possess a high novelty factor, capturing attention.
- The conflict between the hippocampus and parahippocampal place area contributes to fascination.
- The brain attempts, unsuccessfully, to find a 'best fit' for these figures.
Conclusions:
- Escher's 'impossible figures' can inform research on visual grammar.
- These illusions serve as inspiration for artists, architects, and filmmakers.
- Further study can elucidate fundamental principles of visual perception.
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