ILLUSIONS at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Vince Meehan | Uptown News

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center recently held a premiere party celebrating the launch of its new exhibit “ILLUSION: Nothing Is As It Seems.” Attendees got a first-hand look at the unique collection of 21 pieces which combine both art and science, and challenge your senses in the process. Developed at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, this exhibit is on its first leg of a world tour, with San Diego being its inaugural stop in the states.

Artist Gregory Barsamian poses in front of his 3D phenakistoscopic piece, which spins under a strobe light to create the illusion of motion from a series of fixed scenes. (Photo by Vince Meehan)

Executive Director of the Science Center Dr. Steven Snyder is thrilled to host this one-of-a-kind exhibit.

“We are very excited to be able to bring the U.S. premiere of this remarkable exhibition here to San Diego,” Snyder said. “ILLUSION will immerse our visitors in a world that will make them question their senses while exploring the workings of the human mind.”

A series of carefully sized and placed pieces seem to form a solid sculpture from a single vantage point (Courtesy Fleet Science Center)

Matt Kenyon, one of the exhibit’s artists is looking forward to participating in the show.

“I think this is cool and engaging for the kids, but also an intellectual experience for the adults who have fun trying to figure out the illusions,” Kenyon said.

All the exhibits are visual in nature, but some utilize sound and even touch to challenge the mind. Most of the pieces involve lighting effects to achieve their illusions, so the exhibit has the feel of a carnival haunted house.

“ILLUSION: Nothing Is As It Seems” runs at the Science Center for the remainder of 2014. For more info, visit rhfleet.org.