Apr

Liu Bolin’s Out of Sight Optical Illusions

by Janine Boylan on April 29, 2013

Optical Illusion from Liu Bolin, showing the artist's creative process of hiding himself

Hiding in the City No. 71 – Bulldozer, 2008 Photograph
Courtesy Eli Klein Fine Art, © Liu Bolin

A Layer of Paint Hides This Invisible Man

A photo of a bulldozer seems pretty unremarkable.

What about a wall full of toys?

Hiding in New York No. 7 – Made in China, 2012 Photograph
Courtesy Eli Klein Fine Art, © Liu Bolin

Look again.

Did you say, “Oh, I see!”?

Over the past several years, artist Liu Bolin has been creating a photo series, “Hiding in the City,” in which he becomes an invisible man of sorts.

Liu Bolin’s Creative Process

To prepare for these optical illusion photos, Liu finds the perfect, everyday background and photographs himself there. He works with a team of assistants to select the exact paint colors and note all the lines, curves, and shadows of the setting.

Then he and his team go to the site again, and he stands for three to four hours while his assistants painstakingly paint him to match each detail of the background. They work together through the process, taking photos, talking, matching the background, talking more.

When he seamlessly blends with the environment, he stands perfectly still, and they capture the image—his shape barely visible. (There is no computer retouching to these images!)

Hiding in the City – Beijing Magazine Rack, 2011 Photograph
Courtesy Eli Klein Fine Art, © Liu Bolin

Liu did a number of photos in front of magazine racks around the world, like the one above. Watch this video to see Liu and team create the optical illusion for an image in front of a similar magazine rack.

http://vimeo.com/59981487

If the video does not display, watch it here.

His Invisible Protest

Liu Bolin got his inspiration in 2005. At that time Liu and over a hundred other artists had studios and homes in Suo Jia Cun, an established community. Then, suddenly, the Chinese government declared the community illegal. Within 12 hours of the government’s decision, bulldozers had destroyed the first buildings.

Liu’s Oh I See Moment: he was an invisible man to the government. So, in response, he started the photography series in which he blends into his surroundings until he is almost out of sight.

Liu explains, “I decided to melt into the environment. Some will say that I disappear into the background; I would say that it’s the environment that has taken a hold of me.”

How the Invisible Man Has Made His Mark

In time, Liu expanded his series. He took optical illusion photos in Italy and New York. He included others in his images, ranging from a family in front of the Chinese flag to fashion designers in the middle of their work. He even recently did an ad for Ford in which he painted cars to blend into their backgrounds and an album cover for Bon Jovi with the band painted into the background.

Ironically, it is Liu’s ability to become invisible that draws our attention. Now that you have seen some of his work, I’m sure you will want to see more from this talented man.

He may be out of sight, but he is not out of mind!

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.