“Solid Hollows” and “ Reverspectives” : Similarities and differences

Patrick Hughes’ "Reverspectives" typically have a three-dimensional structure consisting of protruding , truncated pyramids but they appear to recede into the distance because of the perspective images on the sides of the pyramids. More recently, PH has created "Solid Hollows" which have a receding (hollow) three-dimensional structure but they appear to protrude. In this paper, we have attempted to describe both the similarities and differences between "Reverspectives" and "Solid Hollows". We conclude that perspective is not a mere "secondary cue" (Helmholtz, 1910) in the perception of Reverspectives but instead perspective dominates over binocular disparity when the viewing distances are greater than 50–100 cm. For "Solid Hollows", perspective also plays a role in the (perceived) reversed depth, as does the visual system's inherent bias for seeing objects as convex.