Uncovering Camouflage

Camouflage is as old as nature. Animals use it to blend in to their environments — to hide in plain sight.

It's about visual deception, explains CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Serena Altschul.

Modern military camouflage was first used in World War I, to help give soldiers better cover. Artists were commissioned to create the designs on the uniforms.

"Well of course it's a great paradox, because the military use of camouflage might be to hide, but the fashion use of camouflage is to appear," says Nicholas Baume.

"The only reason I wear it is because it's comfortable," one woman tells Altschul while shopping. The woman adds that she loves the pattern. "It's quite fashionable," she says.

If you want to see this fashion trend taken to an extreme, camouflage covers every inch of space at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. It's all the work of artist Thomas Hirschhorn. Baume is the curator.

"From the floors to these mobiles, the walls are literally made of camouflage. He's explored it like a scientist," Baume says of Hirschhorn.

The museum display can be dizzying, Altschul remarks.

"What does he want visitors to experience when they sit on a camouflage couch?" Altschul asks Baume.

"Well, part of it is to break down the typical museum experience where everything is under glass," Baume replies.

Hirschhorn calls the exhibit, "Utopia. One World. One War. One Army. One Dress." But, it's more like crafted chaos: common objects covered with camouflage packing tape.

"This was a massive undertaking," Baume explains. "It actually began in his studio. He is Swiss in origin, but he's based in Paris."

At his studio, Hirschhorn says, "Of course, I'm not the first artist who works with camouflage. Andy Warhol."

Hirschhorn served in the Swiss army and then deserted for political reasons. He spent four months in jail. His fascination with camouflage goes well beyond the battlefield. He has been building his collection for years.

Baume says you can find camouflage in some unlikely places, noting the pattern's appearance in street fashion and toys, sneakers and hip hop videos.

So whether it's to disguise or to distinguish, camouflage can be found almost everywhere under the sun.