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Asymmetry of pictorial space: A cultural phenomenon

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Samy Rima

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Abstract

Art experts have argued that the mirror reversal of pictorial artworks produces an alteration of their spatial content. However, this putative asymmetry of the pictorial space remains to be empirically proved and causally explained. Here, we address these issues with the “corridor illusion,” a size illusion triggered by the pictorial space of a receding corridor. We show that mirror-reversed corridors—receding respectively leftward and rightward—induce markedly different illusion strengths and thus convey distinct pictorial spaces. Remarkably, the illusion is stronger with the rightward corridor among native left-to-right readers (French participants, n = 40 males) but conversely stronger with the leftward corridor among native right-to-left readers (Syrian participants, n = 40 males). Together, these results demonstrate an asymmetry of the pictorial space and point to our reading/writing habits as a major cause of this phenomenon.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Rima S, Khalil C, Cottereau BR, Trotter Y, Durand JB

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Vision

Year: 2019

Volume: 19

Issue: 4

Pages: 1-6

Online publication date: 18/04/2019

Acceptance date: 05/02/2019

Date deposited: 23/04/2019

ISSN (electronic): 1534-7362

Publisher: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

URL: https://doi.org/10.1167/19.4.22

DOI: 10.1167/19.4.22

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