Why Do Artists Create Op Art in the 70s?

In the 1970s, a new art form emerged that defied the prevailing trends of the time. Op art, or optical art, became a significant movement in the art world, drawing inspiration from the cultural landscape of an era defined by disco, cocaine, and garish color palettes. Understanding why artists created op art necessitates a look at the context in which it emerged and the artistic and cultural movements that preceded it.

Context of the 1970s

By the 1970s, the art world had experienced significant changes. The era saw a decline in the popularity and influence of abstract expressionism, which had dominated the art scene in the 1950s and 1960s. Abstract expressionism, with its focus on raw emotional expressions and unstructured canvases, had reached a peak, leaving many artists feeling creatively and materially constrained. Colleges and universities began to shift from structured guidance to a more anarchic approach, often times resulting in untrained and purposeless artistic endeavors.

Emergence of Op Art

In this context, op art emerged as a distinct and striking form of art. Op art is characterized by geometric designs that create the illusion of movement, and it often involves a combination of stripes, dots, and repeating patterns. The artworks are designed to create a visual effect on the eye, causing both discomfort and consternation among viewers.

Breaking Boundaries with Op Art

Op art was a type of abstraction that went a step further than its predecessors. Abstract expressionists used free and unstructured brushstrokes to convey emotions, but many op artists used a more mechanical and precise approach. By using these precise methods, op art became a form of decoration rather than fine art. The movement was less about capturing the essence of human emotion or experience and more about the visual impact of the images themselves. Tape was a common tool used by op artists, allowing them to create clean, geometric patterns and bold colors.

Connection to Pop Art

While op art emerged in the 1970s, its roots can be traced back to the earlier pop art movement. Pop art, which originated in the mid-1950s, was a movement that celebrated popular culture and consumerism, often borrowing elements from commercial art and the mass media. Pop artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein created images that were both playful and satirical, frequently featuring printed elements and bright, bold colors.

Op art and pop art share some similarities in their rejection of the traditional fine art norms. Both movements embraced the commercial and the popular, and both often featured bright, contrasting colors and repetitive patterns. However, while pop art aimed to comment on contemporary culture and consumerism, op art was more concerned with the interaction between form and perception. Pop art often carried a message or a commentary, whereas op art was more about creating a visceral, immediate visual experience.

Artistic Legacy and Influence

The legacy of op art remains significant, influencing a wide range of artistic and design movements that followed. Op art’s focus on the interaction between line, color, and form has had a lasting impact on graphic design, fashion, and even technology. The movement’s exploration of visual illusions and the human perception of space has continued to inspire artists and designers.

Fading of Abstract Expressionism

The decline of abstract expressionism in the 1970s set the stage for the rise of more experimental and diverse approaches to art. Abstract expressionism, with its emphasis on spontaneous and automatic gestures, was seen as the end of one coherent art period. The 1970s saw a shift towards even more abstract and less content-driven forms of art, where op art was just one example of the many styles and techniques that emerged.

Conclusion

Artists in the 1970s created op art as a reaction to the limitations of abstract expressionism and the lack of direction in art education. The op art movement embraced a new approach to creating visually stimulating works that challenged the viewer’s perception. This movement, while decorative in its application, represented a significant shift in the pursuit of artistic expression. Op art’s influence continues to resonate in contemporary art and design, serving as a testament to the enduring power of visual illusion and the human quest for new ways to experience art.