Visual illusion has always held our fascination. From a magician’s sleight of hand to anamorphic illusions, the bending of our physical reality is always a subject of keen interest for artists, making it rich territory for visual exploration.
And perhaps there is no other artist that does it quite like Felice Varini. Currently based in Paris, this Swiss visionary has been mesmerizing viewers with his anamorphic paintings for over 30 years.
His spatial paintings, showcased in both private and public areas, require the viewer to stand in a particular spot and regard the work from a specific point of view. All of sudden, seemingly random & fragmented lines and shapes come together to form a continuous, geometric entity.
It might seem simple, effortless even. But one only need dive just beyond the surface to understand the true complexity and understanding of depth that Varni employs. A single step turns simple floating shapes into an uninterrupted geometric entity, for a reality-bending experience.
There is delight in finding that perfect spot of alignment and no doubt Varni is a true master - inspiring generations in areas of visual merchandising and film.
Beyond all that, his oeuvre seems to be a beautiful commentary on the nature of life itself.
Every occasion in our lives has a single viewpoint, at which everything suddenly makes sense.
It’s up to us to side-step obstacles to try and find it.
Words - Taraka 'TK' Tennakoon
Image Credits - Felice Varini
Comentarios