An ambiguous figure in the real world
This photograph was taken at the Edinburgh Festival in 1992. The individual depicted is unknown but he was a street performer during the Arts Festival and this was his busking act. During the performance large numbers of people gathered and looked on with much amusement---clearly enjoying the effect. The fibres making up the `ostrich's plumage' were tied around his back and draped over to conceal his head when he leant over.
On viewing the photograph a number of people have reported to me that they first apprehended the ostrich and, on seeing the man, were particularly aware of the fingers of the hand and the toes of the feet. It would seem that the easiest perception is that corresponding to the general shape of the figure---only later are the (more detailed) discrepancies with that hypothesis noted and the alternative solution arrived at. In the real world the effect was somewhat different; the effect was such that no-one I spoke to was ever consciously convinced that they were seeing an ostrich; although the effect was quite striking no-one was actually fooled by it.
The dog depicted in the photograph seemed somewhat confused by the performance. Although it may be somewhat fanciful to suppose that the dog experienced reversals of the figure, its behaviour certainly suggested it. For five minutes it alternately yapped fiercely straining at the leash and then stared silently, each for periods of ten seconds or so.
Peter Ayton,
Department of Psychology,
City University,
London EC1V 0HB, UK
(If your browser doesn't support in-line JPEG images, click here to download the figure.)
Return to contents of this month's supplement
© 1996 Pion Ltd