Learning about Op Art

Summary

This video explores op art, an artistic movement that creates optical illusions to trick the viewer's perception. It highlights key artists such as Bridget Riley, known for her black and white geometric patterns; Victor Vasarely, who uses vibrant colors to create 3D effects; and M.C. Escher, whose intricate tessellations and impossible structures captivate the imagination. Akiyoshi Kitaoka is also mentioned for his bright and visually striking works. The video encourages viewers to appreciate the complexity and uniqueness of op art, inviting them to explore various examples that challenge the laws of physics and perception.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Op art, or optical art, creates visual illusions that trick the brain into perceiving movement or depth.
• 📅 The term 'op art' was first used by Time magazine in 1964.
• 👩‍🎨 Bridget Riley, born in 1931, is a pioneering op artist known for her black-and-white geometric designs that create movement.
• 🖌️ Victor Vasarely is another significant op artist who utilized color to create three-dimensional illusions in his works.
• 🖼️ MC Escher, known for his mathematically inspired art, created impossible structures and explored tessellations.
• 🏰 Escher's inspiration came from Moorish architecture in Spain, specifically the Alhambra, which featured geometric and tessellated designs.
• 📐 Tessellation refers to an interlocking pattern that repeats without gaps, a key concept in Escher's work.
• 🧮 Escher gained fame in 1966 when Martin Gardner featured his art in Scientific American, attracting math enthusiasts.
• 🌈 Akiyoshi Kitaoka is known for his vibrant and visually challenging op art that plays with overlapping colors.
• 🌀 Op art can range from simple patterns to complex and bizarre designs that challenge perception.

Q & A

What is Op Art?

Op Art, short for optical art, is a genre of visual art that uses optical illusions to create pieces that trick the brain into perceiving movement or depth that isn't actually present in reality.

When was the term 'Op Art' coined?

The term 'Op Art' was coined by Time magazine in 1964.

Who is Bridget Riley, and what is her significance in Op Art?

Bridget Riley, born in London in 1931, is a prominent Op Art artist known for her black-and-white geometric lines and shapes that create illusions of movement.

What inspired Bridget Riley's Op Art style?

Bridget Riley was inspired by the work of Jackson Pollock and the scientific dot style of George Seurat, which led her to develop her signature Op Art style around 1960.

Who is Victor Vasarely, and what is his contribution to Op Art?

Victor Vasarely is another key figure in Op Art, known for his colorful paintings that create 3D illusions through clever uses of color and shapes.

What makes M.C. Escher's work unique?

M.C. Escher's work is unique for its impossible structures and use of mathematical concepts like tessellation, which creates interlocking patterns without gaps.

What inspired M.C. Escher during his travels?

During his travels in Spain, M.C. Escher was inspired by Moorish architecture, particularly at the Alhambra, which features geometric designs and tessellations.

How did M.C. Escher gain recognition?

Escher gained recognition in April 1966 when his art was featured in Martin Gardner's mathematical games column in Scientific American, appealing to math enthusiasts for his innovative use of mathematics in art.

Who is Akiyoshi Kitaoka, and what is his style of Op Art?

Akiyoshi Kitaoka is an intellectual known for his bright and colorful Op Art that creates optical illusions, often featuring overlapping colors that can be difficult to look at.

What is the main characteristic of Op Art pieces?

The main characteristic of Op Art pieces is their ability to create optical illusions that deceive the viewer's perception, making static images appear as though they are moving or changing.