Op art - an illusion in art or the art of illusions?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Op art is a recent trend in art that causes illusions based on the peculiarities of our visual perception. It originated in the abstractionist movement and after the very first exhibitions became incredibly popular, however, critics predicted a quick death for him. New Art XX

of the century continued, to some extent, the geometric and rationalism of abstraction, but revealed it from an unexpected side.

Although the first experiments of op-art appeared in the 19th century, they were rather scientific and psychological. Using the hovering effects created on the sheet, the movement of contrasting lines, Professor Thompson from Germany tried to figure out exactly how the perception of visual signals is built. It turns out that the brain is trying to collect and systematize everything it sees into a simplified scheme, refusing to perceive what does not fit into it.

The way op art influences the human mind

The op-art artist arranges the elements of the image so that the eye cannot create a complete picture. This disorients the brain and causes it to draw a new, illusory image.

It is interesting that optical art is not built on aesthetic sensations, like all painting inin general, but on the peculiarities of our mind. After all, what we “see” is not really seen by us - it is an illusion that has formed in our head. It is thanks to this that moving, voluminous, absolutely fantastic images are created.

The task of op-art art is to deceive us, to make us see the unthinkable, the impossible, to rive a person's attention to the visual puzzle. Looking at the image, in such a situation, acts practically as a partner of the artist, as a direct participant in the events. After all, the individual perception of the picture by each of us is very variable.

By introducing sharp color contrasts, rhythmically repeating elements, configurations in the form of spirals, intersections and the “mirror” effect, an environment is created in which the highest degree of illusion and abstraction arises. Looking at the image, we see movement, trembling, flashes of light, blurring dark spots. And this makes you return to it again and again, checking your eyes and the impression you get.

The use of op art in the fashion industry

The first to use optical illusions when creating fabric colors came up with

Americans. Thanks to a new trend in art, it became possible to successfully hide figure flaws, making the waist thin, and the chest and hips voluminous. A drawing that floats before the eyes, changing forms - what could be more successful for a stylist!

Such clothes cannot go unnoticed. And the leading fashion houses have adopted op art as another means to achieve expressiveness andoriginality.

The application of the new trend gives the same incredible opportunities in interior design. Imagine for a moment how you can expand a room, hide protruding corners, create the illusion of space or highlight any area in a given interior, just by including furniture or an op art wall art!

This style originated and continues to exist as a way to dilute a dull, boring environment and as an opportunity to add an element of fantasy and, if you want, extreme sports to your life.