Media

The science behind the dress colour debate: Human brain scientist to hold public lectures at HKU to reveal the science and art of visual illusions

09 Mar 2015

The visual illusion image “Koffka Wall” designed by Professor Arthur Shapiro.

What is the colour of this dress? Blue and black? Or white and gold? The dress colour has become the hottest global debate, and divided many families and friends. The question is: why do people perceive colours differently? What is behind to divide people? 

The Department of Psychology at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) brings you Professor Arthur Shapiro from American University to reveal the science behind this hot debate of visual illusions. The speaker is a world-famous visual scientist who uses illusion to study human brain functions. His visual illusion designs won the Champions for “the Best Illusion of the Year” in 2005 and 2009. Professor Shapiro appeared in various international media talking about the science of the dress colour.

On March 10 and 11 (Tomorrow and Wednesday), Professor Arthur Shapiro will hold two public lectures at HKU co-organized by HKU Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, and Admissions and Academic Liaison Section, Registry. One is designed for local secondary students, and the other is designed for the general public.

Professor Arthur Shapiro will discuss the creation of illusions, where they come from, and how they are made. He will show that research on visual illusions sits at the crossroads of many academic disciplines, including neuroscience, psychology, mathematics, physics, computer science, philosophy and art, and addresses fundamental questions about how the brain works. He will also discuss how research on visual illusions can aid in assessing the health of the visual system.

Media Interview:
To introduce the science behind the visual illusions to media friends, a media interview session with Professor Arthur Shapiro will be arranged with details as below:

Date: March 10, 2015 (Tomorrow)
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Room 117, 1/F, Knowles Building, Main Campus, HKU

Details of the two Public Lectures:
(1 ) The Art and Science of Visual Illusions (for secondary students, registration required)
Date: March 10, 2015 (Tomorrow)
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm (registration starts at 6:00 p.m.)
Venue: CPD-LG.18, Centennial Campus, HKU (Map)
Language: English
Registration link (first-come first-served basis):
http://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=35608
 Enquiry: Mr Steven Chan, Registry (Tel: 2241 5534 or Email cfschan@hku.hk )

(2) The Art and Science of Visual Illusions (for general public, no registration required) 
Date: March 11, 2015 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm (registration starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Venue: CPD-LG.18, Centennial Campus, HKU (Map)
Enquiry: Mr Steven Chan, Registry (Tel: 2241 5534 or Email cfschan@hku.hk )

More about Professor Arthur Shapiro: http://www.american.edu/cas/faculty/arthurs.cfm

More on the dress colour debate:  http://www.wired.com/2015/02/science-one-agrees-color-dress/

Media enquiry:
HKU Communications and Public Affairs Office Ms Rhea Leung (Tel︰2857 8555/ 9022 7446/ Email rhea.leung@hku.hk) or HKU Faculty of Science Dr Benny Ng (Tel：54103822；Email：ngbenny@hku.hk)

Human Brain Scientists Professor Arthur Shapiro to hold public lectures at HKU to reveal the science and art of visual illusions.