“Visual space” is a common theme for many artists, and the recently opened private art museum KAMU Kanazawa in Japan features a unique staircase inside the museum. When everyone is wondering where it leads to, upon closer inspection, this staircase is actually built horizontally! In fact, it is a large art installation called the “Infinite Staircase,” creating a visual illusion effect!
The “Endless Staircase” comes from the hands of Leandro Erlich, a visual artist from Argentina known for creating works that convey a sense of infinite space. In 2005, he presented a piece called “Stairs,” and this time, the “Endless Staircase” specially designed for the opening of the KAMU Kanazawa Art Museum can be seen as an extension of his previous work.
From these photos that seem to be taken from a bird’s eye view, this new art installation is an infinitely extending staircase that seems to have no end in sight. However, if you were there in person, you would discover that it actually does not extend vertically from top to bottom, but rather develops horizontally, like a tunnel, completely challenging everyone’s visual and spatial perception!
To enhance the “illusion” effect, Leandro Erlich deliberately placed a mirror at the end of the “infinite staircase,” making the visual space appear more spacious and reminiscent of a bottomless abyss, which is quite shocking!
Next time you come to Japan, why not visit this art museum and take some interesting illusion photos at the “Infinite Staircase”!
Image source: kamu_kanazawa @instagram, KAMU @facebook, pinterest, google
