Activity Overview
Examine the amazing illusion of movement as you perform the parrot in the cage illusion. During this illusion, you will have two pictures that appear to combine into one. This occurs because the two drawings are moving too quickly for your eyes and brain to be able to tell the difference between the two of them. This experiment exemplifies how cartoons are made using a series of still pictures moving very quickly.
Materials Needed
- 2 pieces of white paper
- Pencil
- Colored Markers
- Scissors
- Glue
How to Do It
- Draw a picture of a birdcage on one paper.
- Draw a picture of a bird on the other paper and color it in. Make the bird about 1/2 the size of the cage and make sure both of the pictures are centered on the paper.
- Cut each picture into a circle shape.
- Lay one picture face down on the table and glue the pencil to the paper.
- Lay the other picture facing outward on top of the pencil, glue and press to seal the two pieces together around the pencil.
- Allow the glue to dry. Hold the pencil between your hands and rub your hands together which will move the pencil back and forth rapidly.
- The bird will appear inside the cage as you spin it back and forth.
