Adelbert Ames, Jr.: A Life of Vision and Becomingness

Cultural Writing. Biography. Adelbert Ames, Jr. (1880-1955) was the creator of some of the most memorable scientific demonstrations of the 20th century. He created rooms where small children tower over their parents, demonstrations where playing cards and cigarette packs and matchbooks seem to change size and position in the blink of an eye. These demonstrations, dazzling and delightful as they are, were created with the intent of communicating Ames's serious perceptual theories and philosophical ideas. In this book, W.C. Bamberger traces the life and work of this artist-cum-philosopher and his quest to unite the studies of biology, memory and perception with his idea of "becomingness"-the idea that all of us are in every moment recreating ourselves through every perception and experience we have-a fact that Ames viewed as central to all our lives.