Download Op Art-3 - Mercer Island School District

Grade: 3
Name: Op Art - Dimensional illusions
Medium: Oil Pastels
Curriculum Tie: Geometry
Lesson: Shape
Time: 45 minutes
Op-Art: Victor Vasarely
Creating Dimensional Illusions in Art
Project Overview/Skills
Students will look at prints that create visual illusions of depth and dimension.
They will see how optical art can “trick” the eye. The students will create a
drawing that appears 3-dimensional.
Project
Discuss 1 v. 3 dimensional objects and show the students how to make a square into
a cube. Hand out paper and a selection of square shapes and rulers to each table.
Let the students experiment with color and pattern combinations. Have them think
about tricking the eye. Use white paper for tests. Trace the squares and connect
them to suggest cubes. Can they make the design appear to face in two directions?
When they find a pattern they like, have them draw onto the black construction
paper with oil pastels.
Materials/Home Preparation
Black construction paper
White scratch paper
Oil Pastels
Square forms
Rulers
Discussion/Exploration
Ask the students if they know what Optical Art or Op Art is? Op Art is a
mathematically oriented form of art. It uses repetition of simple forms and colors
to create vibrating effects and an exaggerated sense of depth, foregroundbackground confusion, and other visual effects. These types of paintings were
created in the 1950s and 1960s.
Victor Vasarely was an artist who was famous for his op art paintings. He is
sometimes referred to as the father of op art.
Have the students look at each print. How does it make their eyes feel? Does the
painting look flat or does it appear to have depth and dimension? Discuss how the
artist created the illusion. Lines? Shapes? Color?
About the Artist
See the attached write-up on Victor Vasarely printed from:
http://www.masterworksfineart.com/inventory/vas_bio.htm
Print Suggestions
(all of these are by Victor Vasarely)
178
175
174
176
Zebegen
Tridem K
Cheyt M
Vega-Kontosh
Resources
Vasarely by Gaston Diehl (owned by WM library) has wonderful examples of his
work to show the students. If possible, use the classroom projector.
Vocabulary
Op-Art
Illusion
Dimensional
Source
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/optical/html
http://www.masterworksfineart.com/inventory/vas_bio.htm