1. Optical Art

3. Terms We Need to Know Elements Space:
There are two types of space; positive (filled-in) and negative (empty)
Space deals with how open some areas are and how filled-in others are

5. Terms We Need to Know Principles Movement
Can be real (like in mobiles) or created
How the piece is arranged to make our eyes move
Do our eyes move quickly? Slowly?

6. Perceived Movement
Actual Movement

7. Terms We Need to Know Principles Contrast
The difference between different elements in a piece of art
The difference in how light and dark the colors or values in a piece are
Black and white is the greatest contrast you can have in terms of value

9. Why did Op-Art come about?

10. Optical Art comes about…
Because of psychological and technological advances during the 1940s-1960s
To continue the art tradition of “fooling the eye”
Artists wanted to engage the viewer and make them part of the piece

11. Victor Vasarely
Hungarian-French artist who was concerned with making flat canvases appear to have volume and roundness

16. Bridget Riley
British artist concerned with creating movement in black and white and disorientation

22. Important Characteristics
Op-Art exists to fool the eye
Op-Art is abstract and non-objective
The elements (shape, color, line) are carefully chosen to fit the design
High contrast
Positive and negative space are equally important

23. Optical Illusions

38. Ideas for Your Project

44. Student Examples