Art of Illusion

There’s a lot of talk about “fake” lately and separating what’s “real” from untruth. Nassau County Museum of Art jumps into that conversation with its latest exhibit, ”Fool the Eye,” which opened last month and continues through March 4.
The exhibit, guest-curated by Franklin Hill Perrell (the museum’s former chief curator) and Debbie Wells, challenges viewers to experience the wonder of masterful artistic techniques. It includes examples of traditional trompe l’oeil (a technique that uses realistic imagery to create the effect that the depicted objects exist in three dimensions) and a wide range of other approaches to illusion. The works on view include larger-than-life oversized objects, hypnotic geometric abstractions, sculptures made of unexpected materials, images with mind-bending impossibilities and fine art so seemingly realistic, they are (nearly) indistinguishable from real things.
“Franklin and I have curated other exhibits for the museum,” says Wells. “This time we picked a fun, whimsical trend in art history that we can share with visitors in an engaging way.”
The exhibit shows how artists use visual tricks to manipulate the perception of space, incorporating spatial illusion. “We are surprising viewers,” says Wells. “They look at one thing and see another.”
When visitors first walk in to the exhibition space, for example, everyone is greeted by Marc Sijan’s sculpture of a security guard, which is placed near where Roy Lichtenstein’s “Waterlilies Blue” is hanging.

“People come in and it seems that a security guard is protecting the Lichtenstein,” Wells says. “Then you take a second look at the guard and realize that the guard is not real. It’s a really good way of getting visitors when they enter the museum into the mood of the exhibit.”
To separate what’s real from what is a clever ruse takes an alert eye and the willingness to examine art carefully. Take a few steps to the right and observe, draw your conclusions about what you think you see. Then, a few steps to the left reveals a whole new image. The guesses multiply. Is it a flat surface or a sculpture? Is it a photograph or a painting? Is it made of wood or bronze, rubber or steel? Is it real or faux?
In fact, it’s a visual journey that challenges perceived perceptions of what we think is “real.”
“People have to resist the urge to touch things,” says Wells. “You can’t believe what you are seeing. What you think you are looking at isn’t really what you are looking at.”
Consider Otto Duecker’s image of Marilyn Monroe. “It seems as if a black and white photograph has been taped to the wall,” says Wells. In fact, it’s not that at all.
“It’s all a lot fun,” she says. Everyone does double takes, looking from different angles to figure out what they are seeing. We all tend to take for granted what we see. ‘Fool the Eye ‘ forces you to really look at the art works.”
“The timeless tradition of trompe l’oeil art uses perspective, unexpected materials and optical trickery to “fool the eye” to entertain or convey a message,” Wells states in the exhibition catalogue. “In this exhibition, Franklin and I bring many fine examples dating from the 19th century all the way to modern day. We created categories from traditional to “out of the box” techniques that we are sure will appeal to art lovers of all kinds (and even those who will simply be amazed by the sheer cleverness of the art!).”
“It ‘s been an honor for Franklin and I to curate this exhibit,” she adds. “We’ve included a combination of pieces from New York galleries, along with those from Long Island artists. It’s always important for a Long Island museum to show Long Island artists.”
Above all “Fool the Eye” will surely make visitors think and provoke discussion throughout the galleries about reality vs. deception.
“There really is something for everyone,” says Wells. “Kids seem to especially enjoy the exhibit as they try to figure things out.”

‘Fool the Eye’
When: Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Dr., (off Northern Blvd.), Roslyn Harbor.
Admission/Hours: $12, $8 seniors and $4 students and children. Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. (516) 484-9338 or www.nassaumuseum.org.