Historical and Cultural Context


Op Art (1960s) - Op Art - Artists

Optical (Op) Art is a mathematically-oriented form of (usually) Abstract art, which uses repetition of simple forms and colors to create vibrating effects, moiré patterns, an exaggerated sense of depth, foreground-background confusion, and other visual effects.

In the mid-20th century, artists such as Josef Albers, Victor Vasarely, and M.C. Escher experimented with Optical Art. Escher's work, although not abstract, also deals extensively with various forms of visual tricks and paradoxes.

In the 1960's, the term "Op Art" was coined to describe the work of a growing group of abstract painters. This movement was led by Vasarely and Bridget Riley (http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/optical.html).


Op Art - Artists


Bridget Riley - Balm -1964 -
http://www.usc.edu/schools/annenberg/asc/projects/comm544/library/images/785.html


Worth checking out: Drawing Prompts - Each artist link provides an opening representative image suitable for drawing by students. Additional images and information are also provided to help students explore the vast posibilities of artistic expression.


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