I think that the best mind-bending pictures are the ones that are two pictures in one, like these.

http://z.about.com/d/puzzles/1/0/x/R/004.jpg

http://www.omogenia.com/photopost/data/500/6optical_illusion.jpg
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Buckminster Fuller Stamp, at least it bends his mind.

http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/buckminster_fuller/rbuckminsterfuller-us37cent-stamp.jpg

How about the Einstein Illusion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UirpkTAq3uY

How about the Paper Dragon Illusion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIZcl8q0u4Q

Is this Einstein or Marilyn Monroe? Stand 15 feet away and think again!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxmptAPYR-s/Rg3NeT3wNRI/AAAAAAAAAkI/gZbNecePGmk/s400/Einstein+Monroe.jpg

Art on electrical box in Los Angeles
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nlB2iavXqvs/SVS7J8OGEpI/AAAAAAAADEA/lVfvCXaxeok/s400/digitally+printed+electrical+boxes.jpg

Lastly, if this image does not bend your mind, don't know what will:

http://www.whatthefreek.com/illusion/rotsnake.gif
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I love these types of mind bending pictures:
http://thescoundrel.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/file0836.jpg

and

http://www.smart-kit.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/stereogram%20bird.gif
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although i like the "figure-ground" pictures, the 3d-scapes, the images used in psychophysics, and much by the surrealists, most anything by escher wins "hands down." the most mind-bending to me are the ones that raise deep philosophical questions, like this one:
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Salvador Dali - I was looking for another one, there are so many of his. He was there at the time I was in NY with some gallery people I saw but I didn't get to see him. They talked of his gold cane.I was just seeing a lot of his paintings.

<IMG SRC="christcrossdali.jpg"></A>
I can't seem to fix it or delete it. I will have to ask a question for how to paste pictures. It wouldn't work with the url.
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I've seen all sorts of illusions, where two slightly different objects appear the same or vice versa. But this....the two squares in questions look WAY TOO different to be the same, so different that I did not trust the picture and had to go to photoshop myself to check. Needless to say they were identical. Enjoy!

(the squares marked A and B are of the same shade of gray....believe it or not)
Source(s):
Wikimedia

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http://www.howwedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/11bumpsspan.jpg
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The pictures that are made with 3d animation software can be amazing.
See example at bottom.

There is a good intro page for Bryce 3D software at Mahalo here:
http://www.mahalo.com/Bryce_3D
There is an intro page for Poser 3D software at Mahalo here:
http://www.mahalo.com/Poser
Using keywords like bryce or poser or maya and 3d gallery or art gallery or award winning gallery, you can find online art galleries to view.
Be sure you follow copyright rules for using the photos as many make a living from this art.
Some sites have free wallpaper to download, and they specify how you are allowed to use it.


Creative Commons by MK Media Productions
Source(s):
http://www.mahalo.com/Bryce_3D
http://www.mahalo.com/Poser
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37803129@N00/148078501

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Some nice optical illusions in here.

Julian Beever is an interesting character. He draws pictures on pavement sidewalks. You may have seen his work before. I'll let the art do the talking.

My favorites are the first two. Others are here for good measure.

http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/images/timesquare.jpg
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/images/waterfall.jpg
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/images/snowman.jpg
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/images/hosepipe.jpg
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/images/globe.jpg


http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/images/swim2.jpg
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/images/wrongview-pool.jpg
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The picture of the Earth in the blackness of outer space. Probably the most attitude changing picture ever taken.
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