Stealing Attention - Manipulation and Visual Frenzy

With innovations in science, psychology and technology it is possible to capture, and analyze data, to find the exact moment the eye tricks the brain into believing the illusion it is looking at is real. This moment of transition has been exploited by magicians, con men, hucksters, the advertising industry and departments of propaganda from legions of nations with questionable intent for a variety of purposes and raises questions about the relationship of power, perception and technology.

In and of themselves these illusions are aesthetic and harmless. It is when they are used to distort, take advantage of, or manipulate situations that they become problematic. This manipulation is quite real and given tremendous amounts of financial support as evinced by published NASA Astrophysics titles such as “Three-Dimensional Displays: Perceptual Research and Applications to Military Systems.”

Artist Ellen Levy's show at Michael Steinberg Fine Art in New York City ask the question“How can we not see something even when it is staring us in the face?” A randomized animation sets the theme for an installation of panel paintings and works on paper that examines the critical issue of where we cast our attention and the consequences of that decision.