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| ==Wikipedia== | | ==Wikipedia== |
| + | {{Artwork |
| + | | image_file=Ascending_and_Descending.jpg |
| + | | title=Ascending and Descending |
| + | | artist=M. C. Escher |
| + | | year=[[1960]] |
| + | | type=[[Lithography|lithograph]] |
| + | | height=35.5 |
| + | | width=28.5}} |
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| + | '''''Ascending and Descending''''' is a [[Lithography|lithograph]] print by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] artist [[M. C. Escher]] which was first printed in March [[1960]]. |
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| + | The original print measures 14" x 11 1/4”. The lithograph depicts a large building roofed by a never-ending [[staircase]]. Two lines of identically dressed men appear on the staircase, one line ascending whilst the other descends. Two figures sit apart from the people on the endless staircase: one in a secluded courtyard, the other on a lower set of stairs. While most two-dimensional artists use relative proportions to create an illusion of depth, Escher here and elsewhere uses conflicting proportions to create the visual paradox. |
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| + | ''Ascending and Descending'' was influenced by, and is an artistic implementation of, the [[Penrose stairs]], an [[impossible object]]; [[Lionel Penrose]] had first published his concept in the February, [[1958]] issue of the ''[[British Journal of Psychology]]''. Escher developed the theme further in his print ''[[Waterfall (M. C. Escher)|Waterfall]]'', which appeared in [[1961]]. |
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| + | ==References in popular culture== |
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| + | * In the game [[Gauntlet: Dark Legacy]], the final level of the Dream Realm, known as the "Maze of Illusion", has an impossible staircase near the beginning, similar to this lithograph. |
| + | * In the French comic ''Game Over'' (spin off of ''[[Kid Paddle]]''), the hero follows a staircase which appears similar to the staircase in this lithograph. |
| + | * In a [[Xiaolin Showdown]], Omi and Dashi run up the everlasting staircase. |
| + | * In the movie, [[The Avengers (film)|The Avengers]], there is an impossible staircase. |
| + | * In the [[Nintendo 64]] game [[Super Mario 64]], an impossible staircase is featured towards the final stage. |
| + | * [http://www.voidgamers.com/channel/HirstArts/HADD7/b.356.r.386.html Ascending and Descending] A wonderful 3D forced perspective model was build as part of a kit building contest |
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| + | ==Sources== |
| + | *Locher, J.L. (2000). ''The Magic of M. C. Escher''. [[Harry N. Abrams, Inc.]] ISBN 0-8109-6720-0. |
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| [[Category: General Reference]] | | [[Category: General Reference]] |