Exhibits

Masks are required for all visitors 2+. Vaccines recommended. Plan your visit  

Visitor FAQ Buy Tickets Donate Today
  • Ames Chairs exhibit

Ames Chairs

What we see can depend on what we expect to see.

Where:   This exhibit is not currently on view.
Exhibit Developers:   Claire Pillsbury and Adelbert Ames II
Phenomena: Size-Distance, Binocular Vision
Collections: Seeing

More to explore

Science activity in which short pieces of chenille stem look random until viewed in the proper perspective
Ames Chair

Without depth perception, random lines can become a chair!

Science activity that demonstrates depth perception
Size and Distance

So close, yet so far away.

Science activity that demonstrates depth perception
Thread the Needle

Using two eyes gives you depth perception.

Trapezoidal Window
Trapezoidal Window

Sometimes things are not as they appear.

Related exhibits

Distorted Room
Distorted Room

See your friends go from tiny to towering in a few steps.

Big Chair, Little Chair
Big Chair, Little Chair

What happens when you double the size of a chair?

Perspective Drawing Window
Perspective Drawing Window

Tracing on the glass produces precise perspective.