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What if it was possible to shrink an adult man with just a cardboard box? This perplexing image has been made possible with the “Shrink Machine” made by French optical illusion designer, Olivier Redon and his 16-year-old daughter Chloe Redon. By strategically tricking the human eye, Olivier uses his art to make the impossible possible.
“I want to create things that nobody has ever made before,” said Olivier, a Portola Valley resident.
The “Shrink Machine” is one of over 100 illusions that Olivier has invented, all of which decorate his home office — enough to create his own museum.
As a father-daughter duo, Olivier and Chloe work together to bring joy to the community by creating 3D optical illusions. Olivier has been inventing since he was a teenager but only started making illusions in the last three years. Chloe helps her father with writing descriptions and proposals to form partnerships with museums, conferences and galleries.
Olivier has a passion for art, science and magic. As an optical illusionist, he can wear the hats of all. He harnesses his child-like wonder and imagination to create illusions that elicit joy. “I’m an old man but inside I am a young man,” he said.
In 2021, they won the Best Illusion of the Year, annual awards for illusion creators curated by the Neural Correlate Society, for their “Oh La La Box,” a double-inverted perspective cube.
Every creation by the pair is made of cardboard and each illusion can take anywhere from one day, three months or even a year to perfect. He says that anyone, anywhere can create illusions.
Chloe Redon holds an optical illusion created by her father, in their home in Portola Valley on June 24, 2024. Photo by Magali Gauthier. 
One of Olivier Redon’s optical illusions at his home in Portola Valley on June 24, 2024. The piece is designed to look like a creature whose eyes and head follow the viewer as they move about. Photo by Magali Gauthier. 
Olivier Redon holds up one of his optical illusions in his home office in Portola Valley on June 24, 2024. The piece is designed to appear like blocks are floating as it is moved back and forth in the air. Photo by Magali Gauthier. 
Small versions of a 3D optical illusion cube created by Olivier Redon in Portola Valley on June 24, 2024. Photo by Magali Gauthier.
“To create you need a lot of time,” said Olivier. “You need to train your brain and work very hard to create something new. I can create because I have no limitation.”
According to Olivier and Chloe, the optical illusion industry is mainly made up of neuroscientists, math professors and researchers, many of whom use software and technology to create new illusions that bring “impossible” shapes to life. Unlike everyone else, Olivier creates with the power of his imagination and his keen eye for illusions.
As a Portola Valley resident, “we’re living in the mountains and everything is green. If I really need inspiration, I go walk, see the animals, the greens, it’s so beautiful,” said Olivier.
He is constantly creating and “when he gets home, it’s one of the first things that he’s super excited to do,” said Chloe, who is the first to see Olivier’s new creations.
The goal behind creating the art was never for money, clarified Olivier, who purely finds happiness in sharing his illusions for children to enjoy.
Chloe explains that the philosophy behind creating art is that “it’s part of the creator’s fun” and “enjoyable to see people’s reactions to it.”
While working alongside her father, Chloe is gaining professional skills in communication and writing to which Olivier feels proud to witness. “It’s not easy when you’re 16,” he said.
Olivier has been using his creativity to create unique items for Chloe ever since she was a child. In 2010, he invented the “Mooonbike,” an all-terrain bicycle that could be turned into a balance bike when its wheels were removed. When Chloe was learning how to write, he created a pencil holder to teach her how to correctly hold a pencil and improve her handwriting. He also created a 3D tic-tac-toe game set that she frequently played with her friends.
“I think in a lot of different parts of life, you can find creative ways to do [things], even in math class, there’s lots of different ways that you can go about doing things and I guess that’s kind of a part of being creative,” Chloe said.
With Olivier’s experience as an inventor, he is wary of others copying his ideas. He protects his creations by obtaining a copyright for each illusion and invention. He said that he’s had artists and researchers steal his ideas in the past, some even try to profit off of them.
After some time of hesitating to share his art, Olivier is starting to open up. As a response, others are showing excitement and amazement at his “impossible” shapes and illusions.
“It’s been really exciting and I’ve been really happy that people have been gaining more interest in [optical illusions],” said Chloe.
On June 9, they presented their illusions at the Bay Area ART and Math conference, which was attended by scientists, mathematicians and researchers. Olivier said that the guests showed lots of interest and fascination toward his creations.
Recently, Olivier and Chloe’s illusions gained the interest of researchers, YouTubers and neuroscientists. After three years of creating, they’re journey to spread joy through illusions is starting to take off as they continue to share their work with the rest of the world.