Educational Media Reviews Online

Al Roker narrates and appears in this film, which looks at art and architecture – and the way we see it. Through a combination of film, stills, and computer animation, old and new come together to give the viewer a unique look at several concepts in art:

• Linear perspective is illustrated with examples of Renaissance art (paintings and sculpture) and computer-generated 3D imagery. The film also reveals techniques used by the artists.
• Differing viewpoints are shown through examples of churches, a theater, streets, and a convent. These illusions provide length, depth, and height in what is seen.
• Anamorphic art, or the illusion of a stretched image, is also shown and explained.

The images in this film, both modern and old, are of the highest quality. The background music is appropriate to this subject: classical and Renaissance. The examples are fascinating especially the ones which take the viewer behind the scenes to show how these techniques were achieved: with hidden lines, holes, and imprints of cord.

Produced in Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice, New York, and Orlando, Empire of the Eye does a great job of showing how knowledge and techniques perfected in the Renaissance can be transferred to modern examples. The artists of that time were masters of illusion.

College art classes, including art history, painting, and sculpture, would find this film useful. Viewers interested in art, architecture, or optical illusions will also consider it enjoyable, so it would make a good purchase for public libraries.

How to see and how to truly know what is seen can be two very different perceptions. Viewing this film is a good way to understand.