What is Trick Art?

Trick Art is characterized by using mistaken or optical illusion as art theme. The artists use bright colors and perspective to create shaking and three-dimensional effect on flat object, in order to give a percept of visual shock. (Victor Vasarely, Izzo-22,1969)

There are three main types of visual illusions: the structure of objects itself cause geometry illusions, the physiological illusions that are the effects on eyes and brain, and psychology reasons make cognitive illusions. Geometry illusion is especially the skill that most artists do, and it is also well-known by public.

Trick Art originated from Japan in 1980s, it broke up the concept of two- dimensional by using the three-dimensional, it made viewers confused and brought optical illusions. Artists often use drawing skills such as perspective, shadow and cover-up, and combine the latest technology with light refraction, and other creative ideas to make the objects look different from varied angles. By changing the visual cognition and psychology perception, the conflict between reality and illusion will express a kind of art form which includes perspective, design, geometry and psychology.

Respecting the period of Renaissance, the development of “studio” which aimed to discuss and learn from each other brought out lots of artists. Kenju Kazumune (1940~1997) had a great foresight of Trick Art, he set up the S.D. company in 1987 with the essence of “studio” and his passion for achieving art popularization. After 20 years, Kenju Kazumune now is the leader of Japan Trick Art, and his S.D. Company is a big success. There are more than 20 million people around the world have had the chances to enjoy Japan Trick Art so far.

Trick Art redefined the impression of art, it not only filled the new vitality to art exhibitions but also crossed over the fence between art, closer to the public. Japan pioneer of Trick Art, Kenju Kazumune said, “ Art gallery should not be limited, it ought to be a place that can let people be familiar with, no matter who appreciates art or not, adults or even kids.”

In order to encourage people to attend more art activities, and shorten the distance between art and public, S.D. company began to promote Trick Art exhibitions and set up Trick Art galleries since 1990s. From Okinawa to Hokkaido, there were 160 tour exhibition opened all over Japan. Oversea tours included Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Las Vegas, numerous of audiences enjoyed the art works and gave a high appreciation to Trick Art. Furthermore, the Trick Art exhibition received numerous awards, including International Art and Culture Award, World Art and Culture Peace Award by Japanese Cultural Association. Trick Art was also granted a title as the special member of world-class museum: Uffizi Gallery in Italy; and The World Peace Foundation even awarded World Peace Prize of Art. In 2004, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan has introduced this exhibition to 180 countries around the world.

From the National Taiwan Science Education Center Website (no author given) here: http://portal.ntsec.gov.tw/en/m1.aspx?sNo=0003165&ex=%20&ic=