Shadow Optical Illusion Anders Gjennestad
The Norwegian stencil artist Anders Gjennestad also known as STRØK recently conducted under the Urbane Memory Street Art Festival in Italy this stunning creation. Using grey shades makes his murals feel timeless, calm and more connected to photography, this sense gives his work more characteristics and uniqueness as well as using rusty materials, so we could say it’s not only about the color but also the material and texture.
Courtesy of Anders Gjennestad.
His main technique is showing people in motion, always going somewhere, not posed shots or models. Gjennestad always stand on high vantage points to take his shots not showing people’s faces as it’s not about who they are but what are they doing. “Shadows give more information on the characters. A long shadow gives it more perspective. The transparent paint lets you see what it is like when the shadow is added to the character. People can look distorted from above so the shadows show where the arm is or the foot is placed. It helps to make sense of the characters”, said Anders.
Courtesy of Anders Gjennestad.
Courtesy of Anders Gjennestad.
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.