Putting coffee in perspective


Anamorphic coffee cup, designed by Ross McBride. The distorted lettering on the porcelain saucer is reflected in the mirrored stainless steel cup. The 'corrected' reflection in the cylindrical surface enables the lettering to be read clearly.

Tea also available...



(photos copyright © Russell Light)

These designs are based on the same principles as anamorphoric paintings which became popular in the 17th century. Anamorphic pictures were often used to conceal political, religious and erotic images.

The theory and practice of anamorphosis was first set out by Jean François Niceron in his 'La Perspective Curieuse', which was published in Paris in 1638.


Laurante - Anamorphosis, 1630 (source: Wikimedia Commons)


See also: The Brothers Quay and Anamorphosis

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to use a camera lucida

Image
The camera lucida is generally considered to have been invented by the English chemist W. H. Wollaston in 1806-07, although there is some speculation that it is a reinvention of a device described by Kepler some 200 years earlier. The term camera lucida means 'light room' and it indicates that the device didn't require the darkened space that had been necessary for the earlier camera obscura. There is no projected image and it is based on very different optical principles. A camera lucida consists of a simple prism and lens that allow an artist to see the scene that they depicting superimposed over the paper that they are drawing on, so that they can simply trace around the image. The rest of the device comprises of a clamp and extendable arm, with which it can be securely fixed in position to one side of the artist's drawing board or sketch pad with the prism set at a convenient height. A French camera lucida or 'Chambre Claire Universelle', made by Breveté S.G...
Read more

New pinhole room by Stenopes

Image
Stenopes have created a new pinhole room... Further images can be found on their website . There is also a video... " Stenop.es is an experimental visual project using a primitive technique: The Camera Obscura. Applied to an original scale, the project is based on projection from the outside to the inside. Two layers are merging while the landscapes takes place in the interior’s intimacy. " For more work by Stenopes (Romain Alary and Antione Levi), see my previous post on their pinhole camera projects in Paris and Ghat. (Image and video © stenop.es)
Read more

Framing a view

Image
The Art of Yorkshire garden at the 2011 Chelsea Flower Show celebrates the work of a number of artists who were either born in the county or who have been inspired by its landscape. David Hockney is represented through a giant iPad on an easel which frames views of the garden, acknowledging the continuing significance of the notion of the picture plane or perspective window.  The illusion of a painted surface is enhanced by the cut-away easel. (photo copyright © Russell Light) Hockney has extensively explored the use of optical devices such as the camera lucida in the history of art. His recent exhibitions have featured digital art on iPads made using the app Brushes. The garden, which also features Barbara Hepworth's 'Ascending Form', won a Silver Medal at the show. A 3 part film with an interview with the designer, Kate Dundas, is available on the Guardian website. Sources: D Hockney (2001) - 'Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters...
Read more