Perfect Floating Ball Illusion (inspired by Jeff Koons' Art)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on replicating the "floating ball illusion" inspired by Jeff Koons' art. Participants explore the use of sodium chloride (salt) and glycerol to achieve the necessary density for the illusion while addressing the challenge of matching refractive indices. It is concluded that achieving a clear fluid with a density greater than water and a refractive index equal to water is crucial for replicating the illusion effectively. The original method used by Koons remains uncertain, prompting further exploration of alternative materials and techniques.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of refractive indices in fluids
  • Knowledge of density manipulation using sodium chloride and glycerol
  • Familiarity with optical illusions and their principles
  • Basic principles of fluid dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of glycerol and its applications in creating optical illusions
  • Investigate the effects of varying salt concentrations on refractive indices
  • Explore materials that can mimic the density and refractive index of water
  • Study the principles of light refraction and how they apply to visual illusions
USEFUL FOR

Artists, physicists, and designers interested in optical illusions, as well as anyone looking to replicate or understand the mechanics behind Jeff Koons' floating ball effect.

Wrichik Basu
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Recently I chanced upon a video from the Royal Institution. The host has tried to replicate a piece of art by Jeff Koons (snapshot from video):

Annotation 2019-08-02 221728.png


At Ri, they have tried to produce the same thing by balancing the ball filled with water, in a tank containing saturated saline water at the bottom, and tap water on top:

Annotation 2019-08-02 221516.png


However, as you can see from the above picture, there is a clear difference in refractive indices between tap water and saline water. But this is not present in the original version.

Any other ideas to create this kind of "floating ball illusion"?
 
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Wrichik Basu said:
Any other ideas to create this kind of "floating ball illusion"?
I assume Koons created a fluid mix that is (1) as clear as water and (2) is more dense than water and (3) has the same refractive index as water. I don't even know if you CAN make such a thing but that's what seems most likely.
 
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Wrichik Basu said:
Recently I chanced upon a video from the Royal Institution. The host has tried to replicate a piece of art by Jeff Koons (snapshot from video):

Any other ideas to create this kind of "floating ball illusion"?

Koons dissolved salt (sodium chloride) in water to achieve the desired density, but you could also use glycerol to tune the density.
 
Andy Resnick said:
Koons dissolved salt (sodium chloride) in water to achieve the desired density, but you could also use glycerol to tune the density
Actually, we don't know what Koons used. The host in the video used salt in water. Glycerol can be used as well, but there will again be a marked difference in refractive indices, which is what I want to eliminate.
 
Wrichik Basu said:
However, as you can see from the above picture, there is a clear difference in refractive indices between tap water and saline water. But this is not present in the original version.
Maybe it is just a matter degree. At some point the difference in refractive index might become not perceivable, but requires a better balanced ball.
 
As this was an illusion, the 'football' may not have been a football but a very thin skinned sphere (balloon), made of a material with a density very near to the mean between fresh and low concentration salt water.
Add to that, the different background in the original image, the distortion could be better hidden.
Illusions make us assume certain things about the situation and that's where the showman sneaks things past our critical faculties. Is there a link to the actual video?
 
sophiecentaur said:
Is there a link to the actual video?
I have put a link in post #1. In that video, you can see the illusion. Other than that, I don't have a link to any other video on the original illusion.