OP-ART

OP-ART

• Op-Art is comprised of illusion, and often appears - to the human eye - to be moving or breathing due to its precise, mathematically-based composition.

• In October of 1964, in an article describing this new style of art, Time Magazine coined the phrase "Optical Art“ or Op-Art as it is more commonly known.

• Op-Art exists to fool the eye. Op compositions create a sort of visual tension, in the viewer's mind, that gives works the illusion of movement.

Try looking at the picture without blinking or moving at all. It does not work very well or at all. The moving and blinking is what makes them optical illusions.

• Although the term Op-Art was coined in the 1960’s, most people who've studied these things agree that Victor Vasarely pioneered the movement with his 1938 painting Zebra.

• Bridget Riley is another noteworthy artist who has created op-art from its beginning to the present day.

• Bridget Riley's paintings came to International notice when she exhibited along with Victor Vasarely and others in the Museum of Modern Art in New York at an exhibition called “The Responsive Eye” in 1965.

• "The Responsive Eye" was a huge hit with the public but proved to be less popular with the critics, who dismissed the works as trompe l'oeil (which means, 'tricks of the eye').

• Bridget Riley's major paintings are very large and may take six to nine months to develop. She first creates small studies of patterns and color.

• Successful studies lead to a full size paper which leads to the final work. These are then enlarged, ruled up, under-painted with acrylic and over-painted in oils. Everything is painted by hand - no rulers, masking tape or mechanical means are used when actually applying the paints. Riley has worked with assistants since the 1960s because of the large scale and the need for great precision.

Examples of Bridget Riley’s work:

It's also worth mentioning that, in the digital age, Op Art is often not taken seriously. People often comment: "A child with the proper graphic design software could produce this stuff." This is quite true, of a gifted child, with a computer and the proper software at his or her disposal, in the 21st century.

This certainly wasn't the case in the early 1960s, and the 1938 date of Vasarely's Zebra speaks for itself in this regard. Op Art represents a great deal of math, planning and technical skill, as none of it came freshly-inked out of a computer printer. Original, hand-created Op Art deserves respect, at the very least.

What do you think about Op-Art?1. Does the use of computers make Op-Art less

valuable or impressive? Why?2. Would you prefer to draw the designs by hand

using rulers and other measuring tools? OR

Would you prefer to use a computer program to design the art? Why?

3. Write at least 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage for both drawing the illusions by hand and creating the illusions with a computer program.

YOUR PROJECT:

• You will be creating your own Op-Art Box!• Using the instructional packets, you will create

6 different designs, each one to be one side of your box. Unlike Bridget Riley, you will be allowed to (and I insist) use a ruler & compass for the circles.

1. In the box at the top of your paper, draw an X. Make sure your lines are drawn so that they cross through each corner.

Let’s Complete the first design together….

2. Line your ruler up with the first ½” mark and draw a line inside each triangle section.

4. Repeat this using the 1” marks so that you have created a smaller square inside.

5. Using your pencil, LIGHTLY draw an X in the shapes that will be colored in. Two colored areas will never

touch each other.

This is what your square would look like colored in…however, DO NOT COLOR YET!!

6. Now, we are going to add circles. You can place the circles any where you want. Please have at least 3 and

use various sizes.

7. The circles are going to create the optical illusion. They should be marked with an X wherever they are touching a white shape. They should be left white wherever they are touching a dark area. Do not mark in the areas that are to be left white.

This is what your design would look like colored in. Do not color anything yet!

• Use your packet (and partner) to help you draw the 5 other Op-Art designs.

• You must have 6 different designs on your box. You may combine elements from different designs to create your own if you wish.

• I will be taking progress grades throughout the length of this project, so make sure that you are working consistently every day!

• Take your time and be NEAT! Craftsmanship will be 40% of your final grade!!

• Once all six of your designs are finished and colored, you will cut your box template out and assemble it using a glue stick on the tabs. I will demonstrate this when the time comes.

Remember! Take your time and be

NEAT!