OP ART

What is “Op Art”?Op Art – “Op” is short for optical.

Opticalmeans having to do with the eye.

IllusionOp Art is a form of illusion. We use illusion all the time in art. There are

twoforms of illusion:

Artificial Illusion

Realistic Illusion

Op Art Vocabulary1. OPTICAL – Having to do with the eye.

2. ILLUSION – Drawing in a way that makes the viewer think a flat drawing or canvas has space and depth.

3. THE RESPONSIVE EYE – An exhibition in 1965 that started the Op Art movement.

4. CONTRAST – Using equal amounts of two opposite colors which produces confusion in our brains so they can’t decide where to focus.

5. ADVANCE – Light colors come forward on the page.

6. RECEDE – Dark colors go back on the page.

7. MOVEMENT – In an art piece, movement is where the artwork looks like it is flowing or moving.

8. COMPLEMENTS – Two colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

What is “Op Art”?You may have heard of the term

‘optical Illusion’ – this refers to fooling orconfusing the eye.

Are the circles white or black?

Realistic IllusionRealistic Illusion uses perception to produce

the illusionof 3-D space on a flat canvas or paper, andcombinations of colors to suggest light and

shadow.

Artificial IllusionArtificial Illusion takes advantage of contrast in

order toconfuse your brain and create a jarring image.

Op Art BeginningsOp Art began in the 1960’s with the cultural

attitude of“anything goes” in all areas of life. This time ofoverturning traditional values called for an art

form thatquestioned perception as well.

The Responsive EyeOp art captured the world’s attention in 1965, when the

Museum ofModern Art in New York organized an important exhibition

called “The Responsive Eye” Critics called the show “an

optometrist’snightmare,”but the public flocked to see these disorienting

andfascinating works.

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.

Contrast in Op ArtOp 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

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.

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

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

Famous Op Art Artists

• Bridget Riley

• Vicotry Vasarely

• Julian Stanczak

• Carlos Cruz-Diaz

Op Art Examples

Op Art Examples

Op Art Examples

Op Art in the Museums

Op Art in the Museums