Uploaded October 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Don't worry, they're not drowning! The fake swimming pool that creates the illusion visitors are submersed in nine feet of water
“Swimming Pool” was created by Argentinean artist Leandro Erlich, and is what the French call a “trompe-l'œil,” which translates to English as “deceive the eye.” And deceive the eye it certainly does. While the water may look deep and inviting, it’s actually only about 10 centimeters deep, suspended over a large sheet of transparent glass. Below is a room, with aquamarine walls and space for guests to meander about. When looking down into the pool, it appears that people are underwater – when looking up, guests feel that they are the ones trapped underneath. From either perspective, there’s something decidedly dream-like about the whole experience.
It seems as if groups of people are submersed, fully clothed, in a swimming pool.
But all is not what it seems. This is actually an optical illusion created by 10cm of water being housed between two sheets of transparent glass.
The mystical illusion was created by Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich and is a part of a permanent exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan
Erlich's amazing optical illusion somehow makes people look like they are standing 9 feet beneath the surface of the water.
You can stand on the deck and look down at the people through the glistening waters of the pool or walk into the waterless, empty room below and look up as you blow some people's minds!
Don't worry, they're not drowning! The fake swimming pool that creates the illusion visitors are submersed in nine feet of water
“Swimming Pool” was created by Argentinean artist Leandro Erlich, and is what the French call a “trompe-l'œil,” which translates to English as “deceive the eye.” And deceive the eye it certainly does. While the water may look deep and inviting, it’s actually only about 10 centimeters deep, suspended over a large sheet of transparent glass. Below is a room, with aquamarine walls and space for guests to meander about. When looking down into the pool, it appears that people are underwater – when looking up, guests feel that they are the ones trapped underneath. From either perspective, there’s something decidedly dream-like about the whole experience.
It seems as if groups of people are submersed, fully clothed, in a swimming pool.
But all is not what it seems. This is actually an optical illusion created by 10cm of water being housed between two sheets of transparent glass.
The mystical illusion was created by Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich and is a part of a permanent exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan
Erlich's amazing optical illusion somehow makes people look like they are standing 9 feet beneath the surface of the water.
You can stand on the deck and look down at the people through the glistening waters of the pool or walk into the waterless, empty room below and look up as you blow some people's minds!
