“Op” Art Using Contrasts

What is “Op” Art? “Op” is short for optical. Optical means having to do with the eye. You may have heard of an optometrist. An optometrist is an eye doctor.

You may have heard of an “Optical Illusion.” Is the ball moving?

Are the balls white or gray?

What is “Op Art?” The point of optical art is to confuse the eye. There is no other subject. Op art is not about what we see – but how we see – a process called Optics.

Op Art is Abstract Art. Optical Art is a mathematically-themed form of Abstract art. There are 2 kinds of abstract art. Representational Non-representational What kind of abstract art is OP Art?

Traditional Illusions Alice Neel YOUNG WOMAN, 1940 oil on canvas 32 1/16 in. X 24 1/16 in. Realistic painting uses perception to produce the illusion of 3-D space on a flat canvas, and combinations of colors to suggest light and shadow. Andrew Wyett, Christina’s World

1960’s beginnings Op art began in the 1960’s with the cultural attitude of “anything goes” in all areas of life. This time of overturning traditional values called for an art form that questioned perception as well. Breathe, 1962

The Responsive Eye Op art captured the world’s attention in 1965, when the Museum of Modern Art in New York organized an important exhibition called “The Responsive Eye.” Critics called the show “an optometrist’s nightmare,” but the public flocked to see these disorienting and fascinating works.

Op art became popular with the public in a way that few art movements have been. The craze extended into fashion and design, and Op patterns appeared on everything from dresses to wallpaper.

Let’s break it down… Contrast Using equal amounts of two opposite elements produces confusion for our brains to determine which to focus. This contrast creates tension and movement. Contrast can be developed by: Black vs white Complementary colors – chromatic tension

Visual Tension To create this illusion, Riley established a geometric unit – here a circle – repeated it to build a pattern. She then introduced subtle variations of form and gradation to create visual tension. Bridget Riley (b. 1931), Pause, 1964 Emulsion on board, 44x42 in. Private collection.

Movement and Depth Op artists worked with pattern and color to create eye catching illusions of movement in depth. Carlos Cruz-Diaz

In Op art, the dark colors recede while the light colors advance. Look at this picture again: In Op art, the dark colors recede while the light colors advance.

Chromatic Tension Bridget Riley Op artists also produced chromatic tension by juxtaposing (placing side by side) contrasting colors. Complementary color pair (red and green) create a rhythmic sense of motion.

Complements

Warm and Cool Cool colors recede (go back) and warm colors advance (come forward).

Famous Op Artists Bridget Riley - British Victory Vasarely - Hungarian-born, Julian Stanczak Carlos Cruz-Diaz

Bridget Riley see biography Decending Archive photograph of artist Bridget Riley, one of Britain's most successful and well known contemporary artists. She has been famous for her dazzling 'Op Art' painting since the sixties.

Bridget Riley see biography

Julian Stanczak Julian Stanczak Allot, 2001 Acrylic on canvas, 60x40” Collection of Joan and Leonard Horvitz Julian Stanczak Firedance, 1999 Acrylic on canvas, 50x80”

Victory Vasarely

Victory Vasarely

Perhaps Op art’s appeal is so wide because it explores and celebrates a basic human experience: sight.

e Noel Cole, 2008

Your Assignment: Create 2 optical illusions One with colored pencil on white paper One with gel pen on black paper I will grade each one individually based on rubric. Each will be a test grade. Artwork must be different for each one.

“Optical Illusion Line Design” Grading Rubric Craftsmanship (35 points total) Entire work is neat No smears No pencil lines Used ruler for all straight lines Used a compass for circles Use of paper (balanced & filled entire page) Mastery of Media (15 points total) Used all provided materials to a superior standard (pencil, colored pencils, rulers, compasses, and gel pens) Mastery of Concept (35 points total) Successful creation of optical illusion At least 3 areas of overlapping Tight, small optical illusion line designs in several areas Time and Effort (15 points total) Used all of classroom time appropriately Put forth best effort (obvious because you were on task everyday and asking for help when needed) Original work