For hundreds of years, artists have been interested in perspective and the tricks that can be played with it. Anamorphosis is a form of perspective that was developed during the Renaissance and is a technique that can be used to transform images.
Subject:
This unit provides opportunities for your students to learn about anamorphosis and discover how artists have used this technique in the past and continue to do so today. In doing so, they can examine links between Mathematics and Art and enhance their understanding of geometry and perspective.
What is anamorphosis?
Anamorphosis is used to distort an image so that it only appears in its natural form under certain conditions, such as when viewed from an angle or reflected in a curved mirror. It was first developed during the Renaissance. Modern examples of this in the form of the advertising logos are used on many sports pitches. These are created as flat images on the field of play, but appear to ‘stand up’ when viewed from a high camera position.
Objectives:
- to provide opportunities for students to learn about perspective and anamorphic pictures
- to use mathematics to transform a simple shape so that it needs to be viewed correctly from a particular angle and height
- to learn, revise or consolidate geometrical ideas, data handling and graphs.
Age range:
12-16
Curriculum Links:
Mathematics, Art and Design
Preparation needed:
You will need:
- examples of anamorphic pictures
- worksheets
- plain and squared paper
- pencil, ruler, eraser
- internet access.
You will need to:
- source examples of anamorphic pictures
- photocopy the worksheets.