# Masking Tape Illusions These Aakash Nihalani Animated Tape Illusions are Whoa-Worthy By Andrew Sztein | Published 2013-02-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masking-tape-illusions References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2013/02/01/Aakash-Nihalanis-Fractured-World) & [blog.vandalog](http://blog.vandalog.com/2013/01/cool-gifs-by-aakash-nihalani/) Aakash Nihalani loves to create unique artwork with nothing more than his imagination and some masking tape. The artist, who is known for creating [optical illusions in public spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/first-kiss-at-last-light) using masking tape and unique photographic angles, has struck again with a new batch of tape-based art. These images are simply mind-blowing in their combined simplicity and creativity. Nihalani's images involve his hand manipulating shapes that are taped down. He creates a [cascading set of blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moving-furniture), a spinning pinwheel, an [inter-dimensional portal](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hooptical) with his arm and changes colors of a cube by waving his arm back and forth. Very impressive stuff. So there you have it, much like being a duct tape handyman, all you need to be an artist is a lot of supplies (in this case, tape) and a little patience. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Optical Illusion Art:** Adopting innovative approaches of creating visually engaging arts using minimalistic means. - **Tape Art:** Inventing new art forms by experimenting with masking tape as a primary medium for creating illusions. - **Interactive Street Art:** Using interactive art installations to create participatory and multi-sensory experiences for viewers in public spaces. ### Where This Applies - **Art & Design:** Creating new opportunities for artists to showcase their talent by bringing in innovative and minimalistic art forms. - **Branding & Advertising:** Developing experiential branding campaigns that leverage optical illusions and interactive art installations to create buzz and customer engagement. - **Tourism & Hospitality:** Integrating interactive and experiential art installations in destinations like public parks, museums and hotels to enhance guest experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [Paper-Made Mosaic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-architecture-exhibition.md) - [Geometric Sculpture Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illusion-box.md) - [Optical Illusion Replica Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liberty-science-center.md) - [Kinetic Optical Illusion Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-woodflow.md) - [AI-Generated Real-World Transformations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-generated-world.md) - [Wonderous Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-psychoacoustic-light-ensemble.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Illusion-Inspired Design Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ripples-collection.md)