Victor Vasarely

Born: April 9,1906Died: March 15,1997

Today’s Lesson

Victor Vasarely Abstract Optical

Illusion

Vasarely’s Life Born in Hungary Studied medicine before traditional painting In 1930 he moved to Paris where he worked as

a graphic artist and began working on his style of abstract art.

His art came to be known as Optical Art because of the optical illusion created by his use of contrasting colors and geometric shapes.

He was hailed as the creator of “Op-Art”. Died in Paris

Victor Vasarely’s Art Vasarely experimented with textural effects,

perspective, shadow and light. He also experimented with cubistic, futuristic,

expressionistic, symbolistic and surrealistic paintings without developing a unique style.

Finally, Vasarely found his own style of geometric abstract art, working in various materials but using minimal number of forms and colors.

Vocabulary Definitions

Shape: A flat figure created when lines meet to enclose a space. A change in color or shading can define a shape. Shapes can be divided into several types:

geometric (square, triangle, circle) and organic (irregular in outline).

Abstract: A work of art that is usually based on an identifiable subject, but the artist leaves out the details, simplifies or rearranges visual elements.

Abstract works that have no identifiable subject are called nonobjective art.

Vocabulary Definitions (cont.)

Optical Illusion: A misleading image.

Contrast: A large difference between two things; for example, rough and smooth, yellow and purple, light and shadow.

Contrasts usually add excitement, drama and interest to artworks.

Varsarely - The Zebras (1938)

Vasarely - Orion C (1962)

Vasarely - Arcturus II (1966)

Vasarely - Mizzar (1956-1960)

Vasarely - Chess Board (1935)

Vasarely - Zebegan (1964)

Zebegan (1964) What do you see in this painting? Do you see any objects

or people or things? What shapes do you see in this painting? (circles and squares)

Are all other shapes the same color? Which ones are the same color? (the circles and smaller squares)

Are there places in the painting that seem to stand out more than other places? Where are they? (the yellow squares)

What happens if you stare at this painting for a long time? What happens to some of the smaller shapes after you stare at the painting? (They start to look like they are floating or moving)

Do you think the artist wanted this to happen? Do you think he planned what colors he put on top of what and where he put each shape?

Zebegan (cont.) Made up of brightly colored shapes (squares,

circles, and smaller squares) Zebegen is an abstract painting. The artist is not

trying to paint any object or person. He is only concerned with using shapes and colors in an interesting way.

All the bigger squares have smaller shapes on top of them (some are almost the same color but seem to blend into each other)

If you look at it long enough the shapes appear to dance around and move. This is called an optical illusion. Our eyes are playing tricks on us.

Vasarely’s Quotes “Every form is a base for color, every color is

the attribute of a form.”

“Pure form – color could represent the world.”

What we will be doing Make different arrangements using your pre-

cut geometric shapes until you find a design and optical effect you like.

6 large red squares 3 blue and 3 yellow medium circles 3 blue and 3 yellow small squares 3 blue and 3 yellow small circles

Then glue the shapes in place on the mounting paper.

Try and use ALL of the shapes you are given.