How do artists achieve optical illusions through reflective stainless steel animal sculpture surfaces?

Artists achieve captivating optical illusions through reflective stainless steel animal sculptures by manipulating light, curvature, and surface polish. The mirror-like finish of stainless steel distorts and reflects the surrounding environment, creating dynamic visual effects that change with the viewer's perspective. By carefully shaping the metal, artists control how light bends and warps around the sculpture, blending the animal form with its reflections. This interplay between form and reflection tricks the eye, making the sculpture appear to merge with or disappear into its surroundings. The high polish amplifies these illusions, turning the sculpture into a living canvas of light and shadow. Such works demonstrate the fusion of artistic vision and scientific precision, transforming static metal into ever-changing visual experiences.