Artists have been experimenting with colors, shape and composition to create illusory motion in static artwork for centuries. From perspective, blur, depth and the Mona Lisa effect, artists throughout history have created optical illusions that transform their still images into living and breathing works of art. Danish artist Louise, known on social media as Louivi, used various techniques created by her predecessors to capture everyone’s favorite sword spirit in an illusory motion of fluid dance.
Color plays a big part in creating depth. A simple shadow or beam of light can completely transform how an artwork is perceived. Fi’s official design consists mainly of light blue and royal purple. Louise decided that instead of using Fi’s canon color design, she played with a small palette of purples and pink and using light blue to highlight and contrast shadows. The decision to focus on a purple color scheme helps create the illusions of depth and movement. The blend of colors shimmering over Fi’s cloak flies into the background like ripples in the paper. Each swirling wave bends and weaves, shifting like sands upon the page, summoning not only illusory movement but a distant tune bouncing along them as well.
A popular meme defies the comment “you can’t hear pictures.” Though in some words true, no still picture can create sound, it can invoke a memory of a sound. Louise’s artwork is one such image that does not physically bear sound, but one look and our mind summons a musical theme. Fi’s themes brings on many emotions for Skyward Sword fans, and somehow, this piece captures them all: curiosity, intrigue, joy, sadness, and grief. The longer you look at the piece, the more it shifts and turns, captivating you in Fi’s dance.
As a whole, Fi does not bear any facial expressions. She is supposed to be an emotionless guide not influenced by human desires and fears. Louise stuck true to her design drawing straight lips and empty eyes. Little did she know, this expressionless face creates room for her expression to be interpreted many different ways. A flick of a smile, a glint of a tear, an arch of concern. None of those are present in the piece and yet the mind can imagine each one with the flow of Fi’s dance.
Optical illusions have long been a fascinating subject. The magic of a few color and line choices can play tricks with our eyes. Louise’s piece may not be the traditional geometric image that comes to mind when one hears “optical illusion” but her choice of color, line work and composition had crafted something just as magical. Through her piece, Fi dances once more.
