ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1997                TAG: 9703060039
SECTION: QUICK LOOK               PAGE: 3    EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER

THINGS OF THE MIND ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM

If M.C. Escher had designed a science museum exhibit, this would have been it. ``Mindplay,'' an exhibit designed to fool the eye and fool the mind, sometimes at the same time, is at the Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke's Center in the Square through Aug. 31.

You can shake hands with yourself or exchange your head with a friend's. And you can try climbing through a bungee-cord maze rigged with bells without making any of them ring.

If words are your game, there are mysteries, brain teasers and riddles to solve. If numbers fascinate you, there's a maze using those, too.

Several of the mind games can be attempted on different levels, so many ages can find a level they enjoy - or become frustrated on.

Having deja vu? ``Mindplay'' was here two years ago and was brought back because of its popularity. Call 342-5710 for ticket prices and more information.

LENGTH: Short :   30 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  JANEL RHODA. Mollie Donihe, 2, works her way through the
          spiderweb at the Mindplay exhibit at the Science Museum of Western 
          Virginia.