After Antiquity and Modernism, subtle strategies aimed at deceiving the eye are experiencing a new highpoint in contemporary art: A fascinating spectrum of special effects unfolds before our eyes, ranging from the painted optical illusion, the trompe l’oeil, through deceptive material capers in sculpture, to cinematic concepts that critically address the surprise potential of digital special effects. In contrast to the traditional representation of illusion, in which artists have to conceal the technical process of producing the picture in order to achieve the perfect illusion, both the work of art that has been created and the process used to create it are now deliberately to the fore.

Citing a number of selected artists as examples, this catalogue traces the variety of ways in which illusion is used in contemporary art and examines an exciting range of current art positions.

Artists among others

Helene Appel, Sven Braun, Morten Buch, Christian Jankowski, Gereon Krebber, Takeshi Murata, Tony Oursler, Saskia Olde Wolbers, Vicky Wright