Naples Art Institute showcases the works of world-renowned artist, Victor Vasarely in its newest exhibition, The Absolute Eye. Victor Vasarely is internationally recognized as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. He is acknowledged as the leader of the Op Art movement, and his innovations in color and optical illusion have had a strong influence on many modern artists. His paintings are in the permanent collections of many notable museums around the world.
His lifelong fascination with linear patterning led him to draw figurative and abstract patterned subjects, such as his series
of harlequins, checkers, tigers, and zebras. The breakthrough brought by his “kinetic” visual experiments transformed the flat surface into a world of unending possibilities, bookmarking an era in the history of art and foreshadowing a new global reality shaped by programming and the Internet.
The Absolute Eye, from the Firos Collection and organized by PAN Art Connections, Inc., comprises more than 150 works - the majority of which are serigraphs, lithographs, gouache paintings, and drawings. Vasarely’s explorations of visual perception and spatial relationships are a source of inspiration for those interested in art, computer programming, architecture, and more.
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) was a French – Hungarian artist, internationally recognized as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. He is the acknowledged leader of the Op Art movement, and his innovations in color and optical illusion have had a strong influence on many modern artists. His paintings are in the permanent collections of many important museums around the world.
Vasarely was born in Pecs, Hungary in 1906. In 1925, he began studying art at the Podolini-Volkmann Academy in Budapest. In 1928, he transferred to the Muhely Academy, also known as the Budapest Bauhaus. After his first one-man show in 1930, at the Kovacs Akos Gallery in Budapest, Vasarely moved to Paris and for the next thirteen years, he devoted himself to graphic studies. In 1943, Vasarely began to work extensively in oils, creating both abstract and figurative canvases.
During the 1960’s and 70’s his optical images became part of popular culture, having a deep impact on architecture, computer science, fashion, and the way we now look at things in general.
Vasarely died in Paris, in 1997, at the age of ninety one. Even though he achieved great fame he insisted on making his art accessible to everyone.
“Art for all”
- Victor Vasarely