An optical illusion where size really does matter has been introduced in Kharkiv.
The new exhibit – “Ames Room” in honor of its 1946 founder and ophthalmologist Adelbert Ames – has been installed at the educational LandauCenter of Karazin Kharkiv National University.
The room is designed in the shape of a trapezium, but when viewed from a certain point it appears a simple rectangular.
At the same time, due to the irregular shape and distorted checkerboard floor, there is an unusual optical effect: a person standing in one corner appears to the observer to be a giant while a person standing in the other corner appears a dwarf.
The illusion is so convincing that a person walking back and forth from left to right appears to grow or shrink. This effect is often used in television and cinema, the best being several scenes from “Lord of the Rings”.
The center is open to visitors Tuesday–Sunday: 10am-6pm. Entrance: 30 UAH.
