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Pareidolia in decay

By bioephemera on June 20, 2009.
i-519185fa56bb8e45710b87795bb8da92-vanminnen.png

Manfungus series 1.2
Christian rex Van Minnen

Christian rex Van Minnen paints rather creepy portraits reminiscent of the Old Masters. At first glance, they look human - but these faces are mushrooms, entrails, garbage and tumorous growths. Disturbing, but fascinating, examples of pareidolia.

Via Coilhouse, who compare Van Minnen to Arcimboldo - but, honestly, I like Van Minnen's work much better.

Tags
Artists & Art
biology

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I can't believe that I've never seen the word "pareidolia" before! That might be my best new vocabulary word since "petrichor."

At first glance, they look human - but these faces are mushrooms, entrails, garbage and tumorous growths.

Really? I couldn't see anything humanlike about that image at first glance, and it wasn't until I read the description that I realized that, with a lot of imagination, it kind of vaguely looked human ...