Op art is a trend in art not so long ago that evokes illusions based on the peculiarities of our visual perception. It originated in the abstractionist movement and after the first exhibitions became incredibly popular, however, critics predicted a quick end to it. New Art XX
Century continued, to some extent, the geometric and rationalism of abstraction, but revealed it from an unexpected perspective.
Although the first experiments of op-art appeared in the 19th century, they were rather scientific and psychological. Using the effects of hovering created on the sheet, the movement of contrasting lines, Professor Thompson from Germany tried to understand how the perception of visual signals is built. It turns out that the brain is trying to collect and systematize everything that it sees in a simplified scheme, refusing to perceive something that does not fit into it.
The way op art works on human consciousness
The op art artist arranges image elements so that the eye cannot create a complete picture. This disorients the brain and makes it draw a new, illusory image.
Interestingly, optical art is not built on aesthetic sensations, like the whole painting as a whole, but on the characteristics of our mind. After all, what we “see”, in fact, does not seem to us - it is an illusion that has formed in our head. Thanks to this, moving, voluminous, absolutely fantastic images are created.
The task of op-art is to deceive us, to make us see the unthinkable, impossible, to rivet the attention of a person to a visual puzzle. Considering the image, in such a situation, acts almost as a partner of the artist, as a direct participant in the events. Indeed, 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, abstraction, arises. Looking at the image, we see movement, trembling, flashes of light, blurry dark spots. And it makes us return to it again and again, checking our eyes and the impression we received.
The use of op art in the fashion industry
The first to use optical illusions when creating fabric colors came up with
the Americans. Thanks to the new trend in art, it became possible to successfully hide the flaws of the figure, making the waist thin, and the chest and hips - voluminous. A drawing floating before the eyes, changing shapes - which could be more successful for the stylist!
Such clothes cannot be unnoticed. And the leading fashion houses have adopted op art as another means to achieve expressiveness and originality.
The application of the new trend gives the same incredible opportunities in interior design. Imagine for a minute how you can move the room apart, hide the protruding corners, create the illusion of space or highlight any zone in this interior, just by including furniture or a wall art in op-art style!
This style arose and continues to exist as a way to dilute a dull, boring environment and as an opportunity to add an element of fiction and, if you like, extreme sports to your life.