2. *OP-ART: HISTORY
• In 1839 the French chemist Michel-Eugene Chevreul
experimented with complimentary color relationships which
influenced the earliest examples of Op Art
* The term referenced the fact that Op Art is comprised of
illusion, and often appears - to the human eye - to be moving or
breathing due to its precise, mathematically-based composition.
* Chevreul's experiments led the first Op Artist, George Seurat to
create his impressionistic pointillism paintings
5. *OP-ART: HISTORY
• Joseph Albers experimented with the interaction and
relationships of color.
• In 1949 his series of paintings called "Homage To The Square"
led the way to a new understanding of how colors change when
in the context of other colors.
• Albers is credited with the invention of Op Art and many art
educational innovations.
10. *OP-ART: HISTORY
*A movement from the 1960s which used precise geometrical
patterns painted in vivid colors or black-and-white to create
optical illusions of movement and fool the viewer's sense of
perspective.
*Example: creating the illusion of a sphere bulging from a flat
canvas.
*Is “non-representational" rather than "representational”
*The term referenced the fact that Op Art is comprised of
illusion, and often appears - to the human eye - to be moving or
breathing due to its precise, mathematically-based composition.
11. *OP-ART: HISTORY
• Paintings are either Black and White or the Artists use the properties
of warm colors which appear to advance and cool colors which
appear to recede in these illusions.
• After (and because of) a major 1965 exhibition of Op Art entitled The
Responsive Eye, the public became enraptured with the movement.
• Time Magazine called it, "an attack on the eyes"
• Includes paintings concerned with surface kinetics. It was a
movement which exploits the fallibility of the eye through the use of
optical illusions.
12. *OP-ART: HOW?
*Viewer gets the impression of movement by flashing and
vibration, or alternatively of swelling or warping.
*Used colors, lines and shapes repetitive and simple ways to
create perceived movement and to trick the viewer's eye.
*Goal of Op Art was to produce painting is to create a visual
illusion by using geometric patterns and contrasting colors.
*Techniques used in Op Art are perspective and careful
juxtaposition of color (whether chromatic [identifiable hues] or
achromatic [black, white or gray]).
13. *OP-ART: WHAT?
• Because of its geometrically-based nature, Op Art is,
almost without exception, non-representational.
• Elements employed (color, line and shape) are carefully
chosen to achieve maximum effect.
• Aim of Op Art was to produce illusions of depth, relief
and motion; it would blur or stir the eye, but never by
resorting to actual movement (as in Kinetic Art).
14. *OP-ART: WHO?
• Victor Vasarely (1906-1997): Hungarian-French artist.
• main objective was the creation of an illusion of
movement.
• pioneered the movement with his 1938 painting Zebra.
• helped the most to popularize Op Art projects and
research; he produced many of his works within the
architecture and planning of large cities.
21. *OP-ART: WHO?
• Bridget Riley (1931-): English Op-Art Painter.
• Best known for her black and white paintings that create
unique optical effects on canvas.
• incorporates new shapes and designs into her later work,
and reflects the influence of Egyptian hieroglyphs in
pieces that play with opposing colors.
34. *PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
• Ultimate Goal: Create a crisp and well crafted Op Art painting
• Use of black, white and two complimentary colors
• Use of acrylic paint and appropriate brushes.
• Painting will be between 18x18" to 18x24"