Op art is an art movement that uses optical illusions to create the effects of movement, shifting shapes, and changing perspective in a static work of art. It emerged in the 1960s, building on scientific experiments with color and light from the 19th century. Key figures who helped develop op art include Victor Vasarely, who pioneered the style, and Bridget Riley, known for her black and white paintings that create optical effects. Op art uses precise geometric patterns and color contrasts to trick the eye into perceiving movement or depth that is not actually present.

1. OP-ART

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

3. *OP-ART: GEORGE SEURAT

4. *OP-ART: GEORGE SEURAT

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.

6. *OP-ART: Joseph Albers

7. *OP-ART: Joseph Albers

8. *OP-ART: Joseph Albers

9. *OP-ART: Joseph Albers

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.

15. *OP-ART: VICTOR VASARELY

16. *OP-ART: VICTOR VASARELY

17. *OP-ART: VICTOR VASARELY

18. *OP-ART: VICTOR VASARELY

19. *OP-ART: VICTOR VASARELY

20. *OP-ART: VICTOR VASARELY

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.

22. *OP-ART: BRIDGET RILEY

23. *OP-ART: BRIDGET RILEY

24. *OP-ART: BRIDGET RILEY

25. *OP-ART: BRIDGET RILEY

26. *OP-ART: PHILIP TAAFE

27. *OP-ART: PHILIP TAAFE

28. *OP-ART: PHILIP TAAFE

29. *OP-ART: PHILIP TAAFE

30. *OP-ART: PHILIP TAAFE

31. *OP-ART: EXAMPLES

32. *OP-ART: EXAMPLES

33. *OP-ART: EXAMPLES

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"

35. *QUESTIONS?