What Is Op Art and Pop Art?

Art|Pop Art

Op Art and Pop Art are two distinct styles of art that capture the spirit of the modern age. Op art, short for “optical art,” is a style of abstract painting and sculpture that relies heavily on optical illusions.

This style of art often uses geometric shapes, stripes, and vivid colors to create optical illusions. Pop art, on the other hand, is a form of art that focuses on popular culture and everyday life. Pop artists often use bright colors and exaggerated images to depict popular trends or celebrities.

Op Art gained popularity in the 1950s with artists like Victor Vasarely and Bridget Riley who used geometric shapes and color to create illusions that tricked the eye. This style of art was seen as a rebellion against traditional painting techniques as it focused heavily on creating an effect rather than representational images. Vasarely’s artwork often featured grids made up of multiple abstract shapes which changed depending on where the viewer was standing.

Pop Art emerged in the 1960s with artists such as Andy Warhol who used bright colors and exaggerated images to depict everyday objects like Campbell’s Soup cans or celebrities like Marilyn Monroe. Warhol’s work celebrated popular culture by making mass-produced objects into works of art. Other famous pop artists include Roy Lichtenstein who used comic book imagery in his work and Claes Oldenburg who famously depicted large-scale everyday objects such as hamburgers or pencils in his sculptures.

Op Art and Pop Art are two distinct styles of art which have had a huge influence on modern culture. Op Art relies heavily on optical illusions while Pop Art celebrates popular culture by depicting everyday objects in an exaggerated way. Both styles continue to be popular today with artists like Yayoi Kusama creating vibrant works that combine both styles for maximum effect.

In conclusion, Op Art and Pop Art are two distinct styles of visual expression that capture the spirit of the modern age through optical illusions and exaggerated imagery respectively. Both styles have had a huge influence on modern culture with contemporary artists using elements of both to create innovative works that challenge conventions while still capturing the essence of these two iconic movements.