DIZZYING OPTICAL ILLUSION SHOWCASE IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Looking at the image, what do you see? Do you see a figure emerging among these zigzag lines? Or are you just feeling dizzy? Either way, this particular optical illusion created by Russian artist Ilja Klemencov, has sparked a huge debate online.

The optical illusion effect is an example of the McCollough effect which was discovered by Celeste McCollough in 1965. He found that staring at two-colour grids for a few minutes can trick the eye into seeing different colours. You might start too see a green or pink tinge over the image when staring at Klemencov’s image for long enough. It might help if you tilt your head 90 degrees.

According to the study conducted, only 1% of people are able to see a panda logo of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) on this optical illusion titled They Can Disappear. The clever illustrations of the eye tricking image aims to spread an important message about conservation efforts.

Giant pandas are currently classified as vulnerable seeing that there is only 1,800 left in the wild. With the striking image, Klemencov visualises how the population of the panda is at risk and decreasing right before our eyes. This is the case with many other endangered species as well.

When you are one of the people who are able to see the panda among the lines, it almost looks out of focus, as though it can disappear in a blink of an eye.