Unusual Architecture

"**Unusual Architecture**" is the first episode in the analog horror series "Eventide Media Center," created by Aidan Chick. It establishes the main location for these videos (the state of Massachusetts), as well as the pattern of being supplemented by additional Twitter posts to elaborate, explain or add to the lore depicted in each video.

## Synopsis

The video presents itself in the style of a late 80s VHS instructional video, including several glitches. It begins with a warning from the "Architecture Association of Massachusetts," strictly forbidding the creation of a "Penrose Shape" and claiming that it is against the law. Furthermore, this warning is said to be in place for safety reasons.

The film then displays the title card, "Unusual Architecture," copyrighted 1989 and distributed by Eventide Media Group. The narrative continues by explaining that this video will provide viewers with the history and types of Penrose shapes, and their use in architecture.

"Part 1" explains what an impossible shape (or Penrose shape) is: a shape "that cannot exist within 3D Euclidean space" as well as "non-Euclidean space." Listed examples include the Penrose Tribar, the Impossible Cube, and the Penrose Staircase. It continues by stating that while the shapes seem "paradoxical," it is our minds that make them seem like that; if we do not allow our minds to limit themselves, the nature of impossible shapes becomes easier to grasp.

"Part 2" shows examples of Impossible Shapes in architecture, describing their discovery by the Penrose family, and their use in art by M.C. Escher. This section also states that by using impossible shapes in real life architecture, it could unlock the creation of "perpetual motion machines," and thus unlimited energy resources. However, the video briefly mentions that the minds of the Penrose family were "unfit," and even Escher could not grasp the concept of impossibility.

The final section, "Part 3," gives instructions for creating an impossible shape in the real world, in this case a Penrose Tribar (ironic considering the warning at the beginning). The narrative insists that to begin, the mind must "be open to *possibility*," and to "ignore all mental distraction." The video then goes step by step in constructing the Tribar. The narrative initially states in a glitch on Step 3 of construction that the shape will vanish temporarily. This wording changes to say that the shape will be "completely visible," and then shows a diagram of the completed impossible shape. The shape then rotates, but upon doing so the viewer is presented with a tangle of thready, weblike material protruding from the left side of the shape (some viewers have stated seeing a face in this webbing).

The video then ends abruptly with a title card repeating the 1989 copyright of Eventide Media Group and crediting the Architecture Association of Massachusetts. Finally, the closing credits of Eventide Media Center are shown.

## Transcript

Note: All errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation are original to the video, and are not typos made by the editor(s) of this article.

"*Architecture Association of Massachusetts*

WARNING:

The reproduction or recreation of any **Penrose Shape**, including Penrose Tribar or Impossible Cube, is strictly forbidden by the Architecture Association of Massachusetts and Massachusetts state law.

For your safety, please do not attempt to recreate any construction of which may resemble the formation of a **Penrose Shape.**"

"UNUSUAL ARCHITECTURE

©1989 Eventide Media Group"

*"In this video instruction series, you will learn about the the types of impossible shapes, their history, and their use in architecture."*

"*PART 1:*

What is an 'Impossible Shape'?"

"An impossible shape, also known as a ***Penrose Shape***, is a geometric structure that cannot exist within 3D Euclidean space."

"Such configurations also cannot exist within the limits of ***non-Euclidean*** space, such as in Elliptical, Spherical, or Hyperbolic geometry."

"Common Penrose Shapes include...

*The Penrose Tribar*

*The Impossible Cube*

*The Penrose Staircase*"

"Although Penrose Shapes seem to be paradoxical in nature, it is merely our ***psyche*** that dictates their appearance of impossibility."

"By disregarding the limitations of our minds, we can begin to come to an understanding of the nature of impossible shapes."

"*PART 2:*

Impossible Shapes in Architecture"

"The concept of the impossible shape was first devised by the psychologist Lionel Penrose and his son, mathematician Roger Penrose."

"The two believed that their creations were impossible to recreate within the confines of our universe."

"Despite the incredible ingenuity of Lionel and Roger Penrose, their minds were ultimately unfit."

"Artist M.C. Escher was responsible for popularizing the image of impossible shapes. His art often depicts buildings that incorporate these configurations."

"Such art opens up the possibility of real-world constructions of impossible shapes. The usage of these shapes could be the gateway to unlocking ***perpetual motion*** machines.

*Ascending and Descending*

*Waterfall*

*Relativity*"

"Impossible shapes have the capability to lead us toward access to infinite energy.

*Another World II"*

"It requires a trained mind to conjecture the appearance of true impossibility. Not even M.C. Escher was capable of such a task."

"The key to the secrets of the universe lies within the brain."

"*PART 3*:

Constructing an Impossible Shape"

"The following instructions contain information on how to successfully construct an impossible shape."

"In order to even begin the process of creating an impossible configuration, your mind must first be open to ***possibility***."

"To determine if your configuration is truly impossible, it is best to rotate it in 3D space.

If your shape is not volumetrically ***closed***, it is a sign that there has been an error in your construction process."

"Follow the instructions carefully. Ignore all mental distraction."

"*STEP 1:*

Begin by extruding a rectangular prism of any material upwards relative to your coordinate axis.

Note that the larger the object is, the less stable it will be after construction is finished."

"*STEP 2:*

Next, extrude a second rectangular prism ***perpendicular*** to the angle of the first.

The lengths of both extrusions must be equal to one another."

"*STEP 3:*

A third rectangular prism should be placed within the vicinity of the construction.

The rotated object should completely disappear at this point."

"*STEP 3:*

At this stage, the Penrose Tribar should be completely visible.

Here is the full rotational view..."

"©1989 EVENTIDE MEDIA GROUP

CREATED WITH A GRANT FROM

THE ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS"

## "Bulletin"

On the same day that "Unusual Architecture" was uploaded, Eventide Media Center's Twitter also uploaded this photo, showing the successful construction of a Penrose Tribar in Eventide Valley. It is possible that this event is what led to the outlawing of creating impossible shapes in architecture by Massachusetts law.