View source for Gianni A. Sarcone

{{Infobox person
| name        = Gianni A. Sarcone
| image       = Gianni A. Sarcone.jpg
| alt         = 
| caption     =
| birth_name  = 
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1962|3|20}}
| birth_place = Vevey, Switzerland
| death_date  = 
| nationality = [[Italy|Italian]]
| other_names = 
| known_for   = Op art, optical illusions, visual creativity, and recreational mathematics
| occupation  = Visual artist and writer
| website       = {{URL|http://www.giannisarcone.com/}}
}}

'''Gianni A. Sarcone''' (born March 20, 1962) is a visual artist and author who collaborates with educational publications, writing articles and columns on topics related to art, science, and mathematics education. He has contributed to several science magazines, including ''[[:it:Focus Junior|Focus Junior]]''<ref name="Focus">[http://giannisarcone.com/PDF/PDF_MagicaMente_xGioko.pdf ''Il Club della Magia''], Sarcone’s column in Focus Junior magazine (June 2014).</ref> (Italy), ''Query''-[[CICAP]] (Italy), ''Rivista Magia'' (Italy), ''Alice & Bob'' / [[Bocconi University]] (Italy), ''Brain Games'' (USA), and ''[[:fr:Tangente (magazine)|Tangente]]''<ref name="Tangente">[http://giannisarcone.com/PDF/PDF_Architecture_Tangente.pdf ''Illusions et trucages''], Sarcone’s column in Tangente magazine (June 2013).</ref> (France). Sarcone has over 30 years of experience as a designer and researcher in the areas of visual creativity, [[recreational mathematics]] and [[educational games]].

== Visual research ==
[[File:Sarcone Relative Size Illusions.jpg|thumb|Here are two relative size illusions described by Italian visual researcher Gianni A. Sarcone in 1997 and 2013. The first relative-size illusion called Sarcone's Crosses contradicts [[Ebbinghaus illusion]] (aka Titchener Circles, 1898) and Obonai square illusion (1954). Sarcone's cross illusion consists of a cross (the test shape) surrounded by sets of squares of distinct size (the inducing shapes). As shown in the diagram, the three blue crosses in fig. 1.a, 1.b and 1.c are exactly the same size; the one on the left (fig. 1.a), however, appears larger. The illusion works even when the small squares completely occlude the blue cross (see fig. 1.c). 
In conclusion, there isn't always correlation between the size of the surrounding shapes and the relative size perception of the test shape.
In fig. 2.a and 2.b, by effect of assimilation, the diagonal red line within the large ellipse seems subjectively longer, but in fact the blue line is objectively the longest of both lines.<ref name="DazzlingIllusion">Sarcone & Waeber, ''Dazzling Optical Illusion''. Sterling Publishing, 2002, p. 38.</ref>]]

Considered a leading authority on [[visual perception]] by academic institutions, Sarcone was invited to serve as a juror<ref name="Juror">[http://illusionoftheyear.com/about-the-contest/judges/ Previous Judges] of ''Best Visual Illusion of the Year Contest''.</ref> at the Third Annual "[[Best Illusion of the Year Contest]]" held in [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]], Florida (USA). His optical illusion projects 'Mask of Love'<ref name="Mask">[http://illusionoftheyear.com/2011/mask-of-love/ ''Mask of Love''], nominated top 10 Best Illusions of the Year 2011.</ref> and 'Autokinetic Illusion'<ref name="Autokinetic">[http://illusionoftheyear.com/2014/autokinetic-illusion/ ''Autokinetic Illusion''], nominated top 10 Best Illusions of the Year 2014.</ref> were named among the top 10 best optical illusions in the 2011 and 2014 "Best Illusion of the Year Contests", respectively. In 2017, he placed third in the contest for his ‘Dynamic Müller-Lyer Illusion’.
<ref name="Dynamic Muller">[http://illusionoftheyear.com/2017/10/dynamic-muller-lyer-illusion/''Dynamic Müller-Lyer Illusion''], won the third place in the Best Illusions of the Year Contest 2017.</ref>

Amongst other notable projects, he created and designed an “hypnoptical”<ref name="Hypnoptical">"Hypnoptical" is a [[Portmanteau|portmanteau word]] invented in 1999 by G. Sarcone that blends the words ‘hypnotical’ and ‘optical’ together.</ref> visual illusion that was used in the logo and institutional signage of the 2014 [[Festival Grec de Barcelona|Grec Festival of Barcelona]],<ref name="Grec">[http://www.revistamusical.cat/el-grec-festival-de-barcelona-2014-amb-el-signe-de-la-contemporaneitat/ Grec Festival 2014], presentation of the logo with the optical effect created by G. Sarcone.</ref> a significant cultural event featuring avant-garde musical, dance, and theater performances.

His joint work, “Moona Lisa”, a mosaic of lunar images that, when viewed from a distance, forms the iconic portrait of Leonardo da Vinci's [[Mona Lisa]], was featured as [[NASA]]’s [[Astronomy Picture of the Day]] (APOD) twice: on October 16, 2021,<ref name="Apod">[https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211016.html APOD: 2021 October 16] - The Moona Lisa.</ref> and again on September 14, 2024,<ref name="Apod2">[https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240914.html APOD: 2024 September 14] - The Moona Lisa selected again.</ref> in celebration of [[International Observe the Moon Night]].

Since May 16, 2022, in honor of the [[International Day of Light]] established by [[UNESCO]], the [[University of Florence]] (UniFi) has permanently hosted Sarcone's optical art works in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in Sesto Fiorentino. This exhibition, titled “Enlightening Mind”,<ref name="Enlighting">[https://www.isasi.cnr.it/en/enlighting-mind-en/ ''Enlightening Mind''] - An exhibition at the University of Florence dedicated to optical illusions.</ref> is freely accessible and organized by the Degree Course in [[Optics]] and [[Optometry]].

==Honors and awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award !! Organization !! Year !! Result
|-
| Best Illusion of the Year 2011 || [[Best Illusion of the Year Contest]] || 2011 || Top Ten Finalist<ref name=contest2011>{{cite web|title=Mask of Love|url=http://illusionoftheyear.com/2011/05/mask-of-love/|publisher=Best Illusion of the Year Contest 2011}}</ref>
|-
| Best Illusion of the Year 2014 || [[Best Illusion of the Year Contest]] || 2014 || Top Ten Finalist<ref name=contest2014>{{cite web|title=Autokinetic Illusion|url=http://illusionoftheyear.com/2014/05/autokinetic-illusion|publisher=Best Illusion of the Year Contest 2014}}</ref>
|-
| Best Illusion of the Year 2017 || [[Best Illusion of the Year Contest]] || 2017 || Won<ref name=contest2017>{{cite web|title=Dynamic Müller-Lyer Illusion|url=http://illusionoftheyear.com/2017/10/dynamic-muller-lyer-illusion|publisher=Best Illusion of the Year Contest 2017}}</ref>
|-
| Royal Society Young People's Book Prize 2018 || [[Royal Society Prizes for Science Books]] || 2018 || Won<ref name=contest2018>{{cite web|title=Optical illusions book|url=https://royalsociety.org/news/2018/11/optical-illusions-wins-the-royal-societys-young-peoples-book-prize-2018/|publisher=Royal Society Young People's Book Prize 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best Illusion of the Year 2019 || [[Best Illusion of the Year Contest]] || 2019 || Top Ten Finalist<ref name=contest2019>{{cite web|title=Magic Tic-Tac-Toe|url=http://illusionoftheyear.com/2019/12/magic-tic-tac-toe|publisher=Best Illusion of the Year Contest 2019}}</ref>
|-
|}

== Educational project ==
G. Sarcone has authored and published numerous educational textbooks and illustrated books<ref name="Worldcat">[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=gianni+sarcone Sarcone’s partial bibliography], in [[WorldCat]] catalog.</ref> in English, French and Italian on brain training and the mechanism of vision. He is the founder of [[Archimedes-lab.org]]<ref name="Archimedes">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160322024719/https://www.oeconsortium.org/courses/view/aef9a8217994fd8daed5d06f2e7308d2/ ''Archimedes’ Laboratory''], is part ''Open Education Consortium''.</ref> a consulting network of experts specializing in improving and enhancing creativity - for which he has been commended with a long list of accolades and awards, including the 2003 Scientific American ''Sci/Tech Web Award''<ref name="Award">[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2003-scitech-web-awards-m/ 2003 ''Sci/Tech Award''], for the communication of mathematics to the general public.</ref> in Mathematics and received recognition<ref name="Accolade">[http://www.archimedes-lab.org/pressrelease.html Accolades and awards] that Archimedes Laboratory has received.</ref> in the US from: CNN Headline News, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and NewScientist.com.<ref name="NewScientist">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110628084137/http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/05/best-illusions-masked-face-con.html “Short Sharp Science”, New Scientist], Best illusions: Masked face conceals a kiss (May 2011).</ref>

== Media and broadcasting ==
Some of Sarcone's artworks such as ''The Other Face of Paris''<ref name="Viral">[https://www.google.it/search?biw=1699&bih=1099&q=other+face+of+paris+sarcone&tbm=isch&tbs=simg:CAQSsAEJEJ1IZkhyERkamwELELCMpwgaiAEKOggCEhTuIoYjiB6AHvwX-iOkHpEYlh6UHhogkDbC7vYfBIPDEzw-UqkLFVPyFuicEPD90A5q6C1RxS0KSggDEhSkFYQLhwuDC9MK1QqlFYgLsA6HBBowrf-o5MaaOqlTY_1HmekHJEMIzXkaqabeD4mxLr9V-sm5ZA8j-YY9pAiZLarQY6499DAsQjq7-CBoADCGuzWKnVVvT5w&sa=X&ei=w-TgVP7xIsm0abWSgdgF&ved=0CB8Q2A4oAQ Viral Sarcone’s ''Other Face of Paris''].</ref> or ''Flashing Star''<ref name="Viral2">[https://www.google.it/search?biw=1699&bih=1099&q=moving+optical+illusions&tbm=isch&tbs=simg:CAQSsAEJubjl58WrZxMamwELELCMpwgaiAEKOggCEhTUE9IKtRfLE9cfqxT6Es0TuwrQExogF_1kD-SmqePYZq5gVTeZ7VO6CCfakyVVM1OiSNCl_16S8KSggDEhSDF4AXvh79H9MW1BaRBMsewB7MHhowXHX5W4zYPikyLPVtT9466b53ZuQSPXGVSsGQNAai1-GTn2cRphveg46VumOmI7YgDAsQjq7-CBoADCEue4FiHSxJQg&sa=X&ei=vOPgVJ-1O8fhaPrwgKgG&ved=0CB8Q2A4oAQ Viral Sarcone’s ''Flashing Star''].</ref> have gone viral on the Internet.
His works were also presented in several national and international television programs, including 'Rai 3' Italy, 'RTL 9 Channel' France, 'TSR 1 Channel' Switzerland, and in the following TV series:
* ‘Nippon Television Network’ / NTV (Japan): "Fukashigi"; Japanese: 不可思議探偵団 (2012).
* ‘National Geographic Television’<ref name="Dome">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVakQSYL8SA Sarcone’s illusion ''Hypnotic Vibes''], shown as interactive exhibit at ‘Las Vegas Adventure Dome’(USA, National Geographic TV, June 2014).</ref> (US): "Brain Games Science" (2014).
* ‘Beyond Production’ PTY LTD (Australia): "Wild But True" – Season 1 (2014).
* "Masahiro Nakai’s Useful Library"<ref name="Masahiro">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po7hSm5k6ME Sarcone’s ''Mask of Love''], presented in ‘Masahiro Nakai’s Useful Library’ TV show (Japan, June 2015).</ref> show, a widely followed Japanese TV program (June, 2015).

==Selected works==

<gallery widths="180px" heights="180px">

File:Gianni Sarcone, 1998, The Other Face of Paris, photograph, 66 x 91 cm, Private collection, Paris.jpg|Gianni Sarcone, 1998, ''The Other Face of Paris'' (aka ''The Eiffel Girl''), photograph, 66 x 91&nbsp;cm, Private collection, Paris (France).

File:Gianni Sarcone, 2001, Master of Number, mixed media - collage, 76 x 76 cm, Museum of Illusions, Kuala Lumpur.jpg|Gianni Sarcone, 2001, ''Master of Numbers'', mixed media / collage, 76 x 76&nbsp;cm, Museum of Illusions, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

File:Gianni Sarcone, 2003, Hold on Tight, mixed media, 76 x 76 cm, Museum of Illusions, Kuala Lumpur.jpg|Gianni Sarcone, 2003, ''Hold on Tight'', mixed media, 76 x 76&nbsp;cm, Museum of Illusions, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

File:Gianni Sarcone, 1997, Hypnotic Vibes, mixed media, 70 x 70 cm, Museum of Illusions, Ljubljana.jpg|Gianni Sarcone, 1997, ''Hypnotic Vibes'', mixed media, 70 x 70&nbsp;cm, Museum of Illusions, Ljubljana (Slovenia).

File:Gianni Sarcone, 2011, Apparition, mixed media, 122 x 122 cm, Museum of Illusions, Ljubljana.jpg|Gianni Sarcone, 2011, ''Apparition'', mixed media, 122 x 122&nbsp;cm, Museum of Illusions, Ljubljana (Slovenia).

File:Gianni Sarcone, 2013, Mystic Bat, mixed media, 122 x 122 cm, Private collection, Florence.jpg|Gianni Sarcone, 2013, ''Mystic Bat'' (aka ''Mystic Flying Bat''), mixed media, 122 x 122&nbsp;cm, Private collection, Florence (Italy).

File:Moona lisa opart.jpg|Gianni Sarcone, 1997-2021, ''Moona Lisa''. A mosaic of lunar images that forms the iconic portrait of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa when viewed from a distance.

</gallery>

== Bibliography ==

=== Recent published works (2014-20) ===
G. Sarcone is the author (and co-author) of the following books:
*''Fantastic Optical Illusions: More Than 150 Deceptive Images and Visual Tricks'', Carlton, UK, 2020, {{ISBN|178739235X}}.
*''Ultimate Eye Twisters'', Carlton, UK, 2019, {{ISBN|1783124482}}.
*''Amazing Optical Illusions'', Carlton, UK, 2018, {{ISBN|1787391639}}.
*''Optical Illusions'', QED Publishing, UK, 2017, {{ISBN|1784938475}}.
*''You Can't Possibly Color This!'', Moondance Press, US, 2017, {{ISBN|1633223515}}.
*''How to draw incredible optical illusions'', Imagine Publishing, US, 2015, {{ISBN|1623540607}}.
*''Xtreme Illusions 2'', National Geographic Kids, US, 2015, {{ISBN|978-1-4263-1974-7}} 
*''Super Optical Illusions'', Carlton Kids, UK, 2014, {{ISBN|1783120851}} 
*''Hidden Picture Puzzles'', Imagine Publishing, US, 2014, {{ISBN|1623540380}} 
*''Optical Illusions: An Eye-Popping Extravaganza of Visual Tricks'', Dover Publications, US, 2014, {{ISBN|0486493547}} 
*''Impossible Colouring Book: Can You Colour These Amazing Visual Illusions?'', Arcturus Publishing, UK, 2014, {{ISBN|178212182X}} 
*''Make Your Own 3D Illusions'' - 3D illusions pack: All You Need to Build 50 Great Illusions, Carlton Books, UK, 2014, {{ISBN|1780974817}} 
*''Impossible Folding Puzzles and Other Mathematical Paradoxes'', Dover Publications, US, 2014, {{ISBN|0486493512}}

=== Non-fiction books in other languages ===
*''Les millors il·lusions òptiques'', Editorial Brúixola, Spain, 2020, {{ISBN|8499062962}}
*''Las mejores ilusiones ópticas'', Editorial Bruño, Spain, 2020, {{ISBN|846962721X}}
*''Optične iluzije'', Tehniška Založba Slovenije D.d., Slovenia, 2019, {{ISBN|9789612514464}}
*''Ilusões Óticas'', Booksmile, Portugal, 2019, {{ISBN|9789897076589}}
*''Varázslatos optikai csalódások'', Ventus Libro Kiadó, Hungary, 2019, {{ISBN|9786155755439}}
*''Optische illusies'', Lantaarn Publishers, Netherlands, 2019, {{ISBN|9789463543101}}
*''Ilusões de ótica'', Quarto (Nobel), Brazil, 2018, {{ISBN|9780857625533}}
*''Optische Illusionen'', Ars Edition, Germany, 2018, {{ISBN|9783845826592}}
*''Illusions d’optique'', Fleurus, France, 2018, {{ISBN|2215136839}}
*''錯視の魔術'', Kyouikugageki, Japan, 2018, {{ISBN|4774621277}}
*''Optiska illusioner '', Ordalaget, Sweden, 2018, {{ISBN|9789174692211}}
*''Illusioni ottiche'', Armenia, Italy, 2018, {{ISBN|8834432290}}
*''Vertigo: 50 Schwindelerregende Optische Illusionen'', Moses Verlag, Germany, 2016, {{ISBN|3897779072}} 
*''Optische Täuschungen XXL'', Ars Edition, Germany, 2016, {{ISBN|3845816007}}
*''謎解き錯視 傑作135選'' (135 Mysterious Optic Artworks to Solve), Sogen-Sha, Japan, 2015, {{ISBN|4422700987}}
*''Libro para colorear figuras imposibles'', Editorial HISPANO EUROPEA, Spain, 2014, {{ISBN|8425521106}} 
*''3D Optiset Harhat'', Readme.fi, Finland, 2014, {{ISBN|9789522209115}} 
*''Incroyables Illusions d’Optique'', Ça m’intéresse, France, 2014, {{ISBN|2810413274}} 
*''50 Illusions d’Optique 3D'', Editions Ça m’intéresse, France, 2014, {{ISBN|2810412685}} 
*''Illusions - Coloriage Créatif'', Editions Bravo, Canada, 2014, {{ISBN|2896701729}}
*''图中奥秘 : 挑战脑力的错视图'' (Amazing Visual Illusions), Qingdao Shi, China, 2013, {{ISBN|9787543690998}}
*''图有玄机 : 挑战眼力的错视图'' (The World of Visual Illusions), Qingdao Shi, China, 2013, {{ISBN|9787543690257}} 
*''Le Cabinet des Illusions d’Optique : 100 Illusions Stupéfiantes'', Editions Fleurus, France, 2013, {{ISBN|2215147407}} 
*''Удивительные оптические иллюзии'' (Amazing Visual Illusions), Art-Rodnik, Russian Federation, 2013, {{ISBN|978-5-4449-0048-2}} 
*''Рисуем оптические иллюзии'' (Drawing Optical Illusions), Art-Rodnik, Russian Federation, 2013, {{ISBN|978-5-4449-0050-5}} 
*''Kiehtovat Optiset Harhat'', Kustannusosakeyhtiö Nemo, Finland, 2013, {{ISBN|978-952-240-195-3}} 
*''Optische Illusionen'', Ars Edition, Germany, 2013, {{ISBN|3760791301}} 
*''Pliages, découpages et magie'', Editions Pole, France, 2012, {{ISBN|2848841656}} 
*''De wonderlijke wereld van de optische illusies'', Deltas Centrale uitgeverij, The Netherlands, 2012, {{ISBN|9789044734164}} 
*''Unglaubliche Optische Illusionen'', Verlag an der Este, Germany, 2012, Artikel-Nr.: 019435 
*''Spectaculaire Optische Illusies'', Uitgeverij Atrium, The Netherlands, 2011, {{ISBN|9789059473607}} 
*''L’étrange univers des illusions d’optique'', Editions Fleurus, France, 2011, {{ISBN|978 2215 11012 5}} 
*''Ilusiones Opticas'', Circulo de Lectores Barcelona, Spain, 2010, {{ISBN|8467237414}} 
*''Fantasticas ilusiones opticas'', Editorial Libsa Sa, Spain, 2010, {{ISBN|8466221255}} 
*''Optische Täuschungen'', Bassermann F., Germany, 2009, {{ISBN|380942398X}} 
*''Fantastische Optische Illusionen'', Tosa Verlagsgesellschaft, Germany, 2008, {{ISBN|3850031926}}
*''FantaLogica'', Edizioni La Meridiana, Italy, 2009, {{ISBN|8861530923}}
*''Neue Optische Illusionen'', Weltbild, Germany, 2008, {{ISBN|3828952798}}
*''阿基米德视幻觉游戏'' (Archimedes' Visual Illusion Games), China Friendship Publishing Company, China, 2007, {{ISBN|9787505723467}} 
*''视幻觉'' (Optical illusions), China Friendship Publishing Company, China, 2007, {{ISBN|9787505723047}} 
*''Optische Illusionen'', Weltbild, Germany, 2006, {{ISBN|3828921264}} 
*''Niewe Optische Illusies'', BZZTOH, The Netherlands, 2006, {{ISBN|9045304732}} 
*''Nouvelles Illusions d’Optique'', France Loisirs, France, 2006, {{ISBN|2744192368}}
*''MateMagica'', Edizioni La Meridiana, Italy, 2005, {{ISBN|8889197560}}
*''L’Almanach du Mathématicien en herbe'', Editions Archimède, France, 2002, {{ISBN|2844690254}} 
*''La Couleur dans tous ses états'', Editions Yva Peyret, France, 1995, {{ISBN|2-8308-0029-X}}

== Personal life ==
Sarcone has practiced and continues to practice various [[Martial arts]] and [[Combat sports]], including [[Yoseikan budō]], [[Kickboxing]], [[Jujutsu]]), and holds a black belt in [[Taekwondo]].<ref name="Taekwondo">[http://www.taekwondoliguria.it/147-risultati-esami-poom-e-nera-2015-06 Sarcone’s black belt session], June 2015.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Related links ==
* [[Neuroscience]]
* [[Op art]]
* [[Optical illusion]]
* [[Visual thinking]]
* [[Thinking outside the box]]
* [[Recreational mathematics]]
* [[Best Illusion of the Year Contest]]

== External links ==
{{wikiquote|Gianni A. Sarcone}}
* {{Official website|http://www.giannisarcone.com}}
* [http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/these-patterns-move-but-its-all-an-illusion-1092906/?no-ist ''These Patterns Move But It’s All An Illusion'' by G. Sarcone]
* [http://mentalfloss.com/article/535777/optical-illusion-makes-static-lines-look-theyre-pulsing ''The Optical Illusion That Makes Static Lines Look Like They're Pulsing'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20220218004402/https://scene360.com/art/49666/qa-with-op-artist-still-images-that-move/ G. Sarcone's autokinetic illusions on ''Scene 360'']
* [http://www.archimedes-lab.org Archimedes-lab.org]
* [http://www.rivistamagia.it Rivista Magia]
* [http://illusionoftheyear.com/cat/top-10-finalists/2011 2011 Best Visual Illusions of the Year]
* [http://illusionoftheyear.com/cat/top-10-finalists/2014 2014 Best Visual Illusions of the Year]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h1F3HeZJ_0 'Mask of Love' illusion by G. Sarcone]
* [https://www.amazon.com/Gianni-A.-Sarcone/e/B002PT2MN2 G. Sarcone’s biography and bibliography on Amazon]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000448/https://theartstack.com/artists/gianni-a-sarcone Sarcone’s works on Artstack gallery]
* [http://www.saatchiart.com/GSarcone Sarcone’s autokinetic pictures on Saatchi online]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarcone, Gianni}}
[[Category:English science writers]]
[[Category:Italian science writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Italian artists]]
[[Category:1962 births]]