It's All An Illusion

Bridget Riley, Movement in Squares 1961

As you look at Riley's artwork above, what do you first notice? How does she use shape and repetition? Is this artwork an effective optical illusion? Why or why not?

Shape Activity, Page 20
Divide your page into 4 squares.

• In the first square, create a design with organic shapes.
• In the second square, create a design with geometric shapes.
• In the third and fourth square, draw the same image, but fill in the first box by shading the positive space and fill in the third by shading in the negative space.

Op Artwork (part of the one-a-week series)

• 9" x 12" paper
• Pencil in lines lightly with horizontal lines, vertical lines, and/or concentric circles.
• Focus on Repetition, Pattern, Contrast, and Geometric Shape.
• Ink in with marker. Continue to use ruler, compass, and protractors.

Artwork will:

• Use geometric shape, pattern/repetition, and contrast.
• Create an optical illusion implying movement and contrast.
• Use high-level craftsmanship.
• Be original and complex.