Anamorphosis

THESE images were created on a pen plotter sometime in the late 70's (I don't remember the year). They are examples of anamorphic images: that is, they are distorted so that the original (undistorted) images will appear when viewed in an unusual manner. 

The images below are cylindrical anamorphic distortions. If you were to look at the reflection in a cylindrical mirror held to the circle at the top of the image, you would see the original (undistorted) image. A short length of chrome pipe from the hardware store works quite well. 

By James Arvo (arvo@cs.caltech.edu)

Firstly, the umbrella one is called conical mirror:

              

Vewed looking into the top of the cone.

                                                                                                                   Viewed from the side.

There is a mechanical device ("pantograph")

for creating this kind of anamorphosis

by tracing over an original image.

Secondly, this is another example looks simple but impress :

              

                     

   Spock , 2007, 1102 spools of thread, 

stainless-steel ball chain and hanging apparatus, clear acrylic sphere, metal stand (44.5 x 36 x 60 inches)

I feel that the former one of SPOCK series has similar principle with Ames chair, the chrome Semi-sphere as eyes reflections the view that was distorted.