Perception plays an integral role in how we see things in our visual world. By piecing together what is currently in our sensory field, along with things we remember from the past, we can make sense of our surroundings. Artwork is a great example of this visual phenomenon. Artists are able to manipulate their creations to create different ways of perceiving an image, such as the creation shown in this entry. When looking at this image, we perceive the stairs in one of two ways; either leading up or descending. The creator of this set of stairs used different methods of stair slopes and directional changes to give it two major characteristics; either ascending higher off the ground or descending down to ground level. This illusion can be perceived different ways, none of which are technically wrong. Depending on where you begin to analyze the steps, they can lead you up or take you back down, in effect meeting at one central base. So, the initial question still stands as stated in the title: Should we take the stairs up, or follow them down? Only your own perception of the image will give you the answer.
Let's Go Up. Or Down?
I think this photo can remind us about an important life lesson: Everyone views things differently. One person could say these stairs are ascending, and the other could say that they are descending. They have different answers, but both are right in a way. We should respect others ideas and try to see from their point of view.
Some people may wonder if the stairs are going up or down... I can't help but think that they aren't going anywhere. There aren't even any landings. I realize that the point of these posts are to demonstrate how the brain interprets images such as this, but I can't help but think that we should be examining the psychology of the mad man who created this.
I agree that this picture really amplifies the idea that everyone has their own perspective and perceptions of the world. The world is full of glass half full people but also glass half empty people. Perceptions are based on attitudes and previous knowledge to an object and idea. Hence, I believe that a large determining factor of how we perceive the world is based largely on experience. Individuals come from different backgrounds, cultures, and are raised on various guiding principles. They perceive things the best way they can best on their individual differences. In the example above, some would say the stairs are ascending while others would day they are descending. Neither answer is wrong; they are just different based on different perspectives. That is why it is important to respect others points of view and as well as try to understand why they think or feel a certain way while also remaining true to our beliefs.
Interesting blog post, I find it very interesting how perception and illusion in the mind works, and how artists are able to manipulate our world. The first thing I thought about are the 'Penrose Steps' described in the movie 'Inception'. Although these images appear to be structurally sound and real, its obvious that if you keep walking up or down, its impossible to get back to where you started.
Hey Cody, to start off I must say this is an interesting post. I've seen several of these kinds of images in the past but nothing this realistic. I can't seem to figure out which way is up and which way is down. I think it's very similar to the bistable figures that we worked on in class, but instead of falsely perceiving motion we're perceiving a sense of misdirection. I'd take the stairs up. Definitely.