Stairs of Confusion consist of a static staircase unto which is projected the image of a moving escalator.

In order to maintain the illusion when people are attempting to ascend or descend, both the horizontal tread and the vertical risers comprise of flat screen monitors, protected by the ribbed pattern prevalent in mechanical escalators. These monitors smoothly display the continuous sequence of a set of stairs in motion.
-- xenzag, Nov 05 2011

What if you had the tread-screens suggest an "up" escalator and the riser-screens suggest a "down" escalator? That way, the direction of movement would always appear to be against an approaching viewer.

Also, may I suggest that the walls enclosing the escalator be lined with rows of pictures? These could be made to move relative to the stairway, thereby suggesting motion to someone standing on the stairs - possibly movement opposite to that suggested when they look down at the treads.

Or, I know, I know, one wall "moving" up and the other down?

Overhead - mirrors and/or gently rotating fluorescent tubes?
-- pertinax, Nov 05 2011


I love this. It should be installed somewhere.

[+], and I'll borrow a bun from [8th] in a while to give you another.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 05 2011


thanks for ruining all that work, [MB] :) Was trying to take a screenshot. nvm
-- theircompetitor, Nov 05 2011


An inspired and inventive method for drawing personal- injury lawsuits by the score.
-- Alterother, Nov 05 2011


Along similar tromp-d'oeuil lines, you could have a real escalator, cunningly illuminated and projected- onto to give the impression that the ascending treads tipped over an abyss into a gaping black hole.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 05 2011


"Your honor, not only did my client become disoriented and lose her footing, causing the severe and painful injuries illustrated in Exhibits A through Q, but upon finally reaching the top, she was confronted with an illusory black hole, causing her to experience extreme existential horror that required many months of therapy to correct."
-- Alterother, Nov 05 2011


<Slides bun across table to [MB], along with contract document>

There's the bun. Just sign on the dotted line, where it says" Party of the First Part", and initial the Sanity Clause.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 05 2011


I'm not accepting that bun. It's been handled.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 05 2011



random, halfbakery