If we observe closely around us we can see meaningful imagery everywhere. The concept is known as pareidolia. It is “the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern”
Over the course of my life I have noticed that I often see images in other images. Always having a hyper imagination has led me to see things, often animals, in completely random objects. When you look at the random detail in the building detail pictured above you might just see a metal sheeting or not see anything at all except the white and black shapes. When I look at it I see a Manta Ray glowing against the dark background. Swimming smoothly in the dark sea. Its small eyes peering at you as it swims past. If you look closely the small black eyes are nails drilled into metal. As I continue to walk around I see other details such as the one below. While some might interpret this as only metal gate, I see a swordfish jumping out of the water. Maybe the swordfish and manta ray could be friends. They’re both made out of metal so how could they not be! While they may not near each other in the oceans, in my imagination it does not matter. The Manta Ray and Swordfish live in a peaceful harmony.
A story:
One day, the manta ray and swordfish are swimming in the bay, having a lovely conversation. They decide they are tired so they head towards the shallower area where the trees hang over the water. Both the swordfish and manta ray lay floating on their backs relaxing in the water. Suddenly they pass under a tree with a nest in it. The swordfish has always had a great appreciation for birds so he gets very excited. He tells the manta ray where to look and both of them stare up into the branches together. They see a small chick peeping down at them. Its beady eyes staring in confusion.
Suddenly, out of know where, the chicks mother comes SWOOPING down towards them. The manta ray and swordfish dive deep into the water in a panic. That mother bird was not happy with two strange sea creatures looking at her and her baby. The Manta Ray and Swordfish swim off into the sea, deciding that was enough action for the day. The End.
This light is located in my room and I often stare at it when I am laying in bed. Even though I know that it is just an empty bulb I see a small chick sleeping inside of a nest. Do you see the bird peeking through? The yellowish background looks like it could be its fur and then there are two beady eyes. Do you notice yourself seeing things and animals in random objects? Maybe this is a symptom of being an art student but I find myself fixating upon these details constantly. Even if it may not be a useful skill, it is entertaining.
Brian's 212 Understanding Architecture Section 