Perception Deception

Editorial

When: from 6 July 2009 until January, 2011
Where: Questacon, Canberra
Tickets: Free with Paid Admission to Questacon

Do words have a certain shape to them? Can you make up a memory? How can wire feel like velvet? These are but some of the many questions that are answered at the latest exhibition at Questacon. Perception Deception uncovers the way the brain works when perceiving the mass of information from our senses - by using a swag of tricks to edit and prioritise all incoming signals. Sometimes it fills in the gaps by fabricating completely new information.

The results show just how illusionary many of our day-to-day perceptions can really be. It explains the theory behind mishearing song lyrics, why 'ghosts' can appear in photos or how we rate the friendliness of someone's face.

Perception Deception has more than 40 experiences and perception tests to try out, with 25 physical interactive exhibits and 17 multimedia activities divided into different categories: sight, sound, social and multi-sensory. Here, visitors can find photographs turning three dimensional, check out anamorphic images, see themselves grow and shrink, and even feel like they are being stung.

It is, of course, all an illusion whisked up by the brain. To understand just how powerful and sneaky it can be, pop in and test your noggin at Perception Deception.

Kilian David