LO: Students will learn about the characteristics of Op Art through a visual study

Op Art

What is Op Art?

What is Op Art? Optical Illusion Art. Art that tricks the eye.

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.

Is the ball moving?

Are the circles 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.

Abstract Art

Artwork that is non-representational Abstract Art Artwork that is non-representational

Abstract Art

1960’s: Op Art Beginnings Op art began in the 1960’s with the cultural attitude of “anything goes” in all areas of life. This time of changing traditional values called for an art form that questioned what we see 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 A striking difference in parts of an artwork. Contrast creates visual tension and movement. Contrast can be developed by: Black vs white Complementary colors Light vs dark colors

Visual Tension How does the artist create visual tension here? Bridget Riley (b. 1931), Pause, 1964 Emulsion on board, 44x42 in. Private collection.

An element that occurs over and over again in a composition REPETITION An element that occurs over and over again in a composition

PATTERN A series of repeating lines or forms

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

Complementary colors (red and green) create a rhythmic sense of motion. Bridget Riley

Bridget Riley Decending 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

Victor Vasarely

The Project

The Project

Coloring

You will choose ONE color and begin coloring the Coloring: Step 1 You will choose ONE color and begin coloring the BACKGROUND STRIPES only.

You will choose ONE color and begin coloring the Coloring: Step 1 You will choose ONE color and begin coloring the BACKGROUND STRIPES only.

You will now use your SECOND color and begin coloring the Coloring: Step 2 You will now use your SECOND color and begin coloring the Blank BACKGROUND STRIPES only.