1. OP ART

2. What is “Op Art”? Op Art – “Op” is short for optical. Optical
means having to do with the eye.

3. Illusion Artificial Illusion Realistic Illusion
Op Art is a form of illusion. We use
illusion all the time in art. There are two
forms of illusion:
Artificial Illusion
Realistic Illusion

4. Op Art Vocabulary OPTICAL – Having to do with the eye.
ILLUSION – Drawing in a way that makes the viewer think a flat drawing or canvas has space and depth.
THE RESPONSIVE EYE – An exhibition in 1965 that started the Op Art movement.
CONTRAST – Using equal amounts of two opposite colors which produces confusion in our brains so they can’t decide where to focus.
ADVANCE – Light colors come forward on the page.
RECEDE – Dark colors go back on the page.
MOVEMENT – In an art piece, movement is where the artwork looks like it is flowing or moving.
COMPLEMENTS – Two colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

5. What is “Op Art”? You may have heard of the term ‘optical
Illusion’ – this refers to fooling or
confusing the eye.
Are the circles white or black?

6. Realistic Illusion
Realistic Illusion uses perception to produce the illusion
of 3-D space on a flat canvas or paper, and
combinations of colors to suggest light and shadow.

7. Artificial Illusion
Artificial Illusion takes advantage of contrast in order to
confuse your brain and create a jarring image.

8. 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
overturning traditional values called for an art form that
questioned perception as well.

9. 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.

10. The Responsive Eye Response
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.

11. Contrast in Op Art
Op art utilizes contrast which uses equal amounts of two opposite colors that produce confusion so your brain can’t determine where to focus.
This creates tension and movement in the eye.
Contrast can be created with:
Black vs. White
Complementary Colors

12. What is Movement?
In an art piece, movement is where the artwork looks like it is flowing or moving.
In op art, artists work with pattern and color to create eye catching illusions that simulate movement.

13. How do they do it? DARK Colors Recede (go back)
LIGHT Colors Advance (come forward)

14. Complementary Colors
Complementary colors also create effective Op Art. Complementary colors are colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

15. Famous Op Art Artists Bridget Riley Vicotry Vasarely Julian Stanczak
Carlos Cruz-Diaz

16. Op Art Examples

17. Op Art Examples

18. Op Art Examples

19. Op Art in the Museums

20. Op Art in the Museums