Features / Perry Road
The current custodians of the cafe wall illusion
An optical illusion caused by the tiles of a Bristol cafe is known across the world as the cafe wall illusion.
The parallel lines that appear wonky were first reported in 1979 by Richard Gregory, a professor of neuropsychology at the University of Bristol, after Steve Simpson, a member of his laboratory team, observed the unusual visual effect of the chessboard-like design.
The university boffins discovered that cortex confusion is caused when offset dark and light tiles are alternated, creating the illusion of tapering horizontal lines – with the effect depending on the presence of a line of grey mortar between the tiles.
is needed now More than ever
The tiles are thought to have been first placed here on the corner of Perry Road and St Michael’s Hill when the building was a butchers.
In a previous incarnation, what is currently 808 cafe and bar played a role in the development of the Bristol Sound when it was Special K’s – colloquially known as Costa’s and a popular hangout of the Wild Bunch collective who would later spawn into Massive Attack.
You can find the cafe wall illusion on the tiles outside 808 cafe and bar on Perry Road – photo: Martin Booth
The illusion on the side of 808 has recently been complemented by designs on the windows and some of the internal doors of the cafe thanks to Relay Digital and Luke Bujniewicz of Applied Creations.
For 808 co-owners Kenny Joseph and Benn Carr, who also own Mugshot Barber just up the road, there was never any doubt that the cafe wall illusion should form an integral part of 808.
“I wanted to celebrate it a little bit and acknowledge it,” Kenny told Bristol24/7 on a recent morning.
“You would be amazed now at the number of people who stand on the other side of the road taking photos. They tell us, ‘Please don’t touch that wall!'”
“It’s a Bristol thing.”
The cafe wall illusion is also celebrated inside 808 – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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