At the exit, the opinions are unanimous. “It’s very surprising, I was not expecting that”, slips Corinne, who came with her son Thomas. Since its opening in July, the illusion museum de Lyon is always full on weekends. If attendance remains more timid during the week, Steven Carnel, the co-founder is satisfied with the beginnings. “The public is there, it is all the more important that we wanted to break the codes of classic museums”, underlines the one who was still a lawyer in business law three years ago.
At the time, nothing predestined him to retrain. The click occurred in 2018 during a weekend in Croatia. And more precisely during a visit to the Museum of Illusion in Zagreb. “I found the idea fascinating,” he slips. Back in France, Steven Carnel works to open the same establishment in Paris. It will be done in December 2019. Three months later, he prospected in Lyon to double the bet. And adds some new features. More attractions.
Senses put to the test
On the spot, the mirrors, installed here and there, make it possible to multiply the perspectives to infinity, generating reflections and effects galore. Geometric shapes fool the pupils. The eyes are fixed as if hypnotized, the brain is confused. As you walk, the senses are put to the test. Severed heads, visitors suspended in the air, people shrinking, clones appearing… David Copperfield could not have done better.
“It’s very convincing, a little too much,” laughs Thomas. With his head still turned upside down, the student has just passed through a “vortex tunnel”, his hands hanging on the railing so as not to fall. The gangway on which he was operating did not, however, pitch a millimeter. But the illusion is bluffing. Vertiginous.
Understand where illusions come from
“Illusions come to you, there is no effort to make. They are created by our brain’s interpretation of the information sent to it. Our vision is turned upside down. This naturally disturbs and challenges, ”smiles Steven Carnel, anxious to provide visitors with a few keys to understanding. Throughout the course, they will find tips to guide them as well as possible and “simple” explanations without too many details. Notions of balance, perspectives, angles, geometry, games of mirrors.
“It is first of all to feel that it is strange and then to understand why”, justifies the founder. And it works: “It’s very fun and well done,” says Corinne, a bit confused at the end of her visit. A word of advice: for some attractions, don’t forget your cell phone. If your eye sees the deception this time around, your device’s lens will get trapped.