Op Art

Op Art is the name given to a type of art work created by a number of artists in the middle 1960's. The word "Op" is short for "Optical" (related to the eyes), and refers to the fact that Op Art plays tricks with the eyes! Here are some examples of Op Art, created by an artist named Victor Vasarely:

You can create your own Op Art design using The Geometer's Sketchpad, by following the set of instructions below, (A note: In this set of instructions, only segments are drawn. When you do the construction, you will get lines. At the end of the construction you'll need to hide the lines and construct a segment border.)


Step 1: Construct a horizontal segment. Select the endpoint and construct a line Perpendicular to this base using the Construct menu. At the other endpoint, construct another line Perpendicular to the base. Select a point at random on one of the perpendiculars and construct a line Parallel to the base to complete the rectangle. Test by dragging any point, to see if it remains a rectangle.

Step 2: Construct a random point on the base and construct a line through this point parallel to a vertical line. Construct more points on the base and verticals using Parallel or Perpendicular in the Construct menu. Then construct points of intersections as shown:

Step 3: Construct a geometric figure (triangle, hexagon, circle, etc.) inside the rectangle. It can be a regular polygon or an irregular one. You may use transformations or compass-type constructions. Be sure that none of the vertices of the new figure fall on any of the verticals or horizontals. Construct points where the polygon and the grid intersection by clicking with the arrow tool

Step 4. You now need to fill in the vertical bands with black. Do this by selecting the points that form one of the areas you want to shade. Then Construct Polygon Interior using the Construct menu. Make it the darkest shade of black). Continue to do this, alternating bands of black and white (clear).

Step 5. To finish the construction, hide all the lines and points, and draw a rectangular border around your Op Art!