And Then There Were Three

Julian Stanczak is one of the original Op artists. Op (short for Optical) Art was initiated in the 1960s and investigates the psychology of perception. The artist is strongly influenced by his teacher, Joseph Albers, a forerunner of the optical art movement. Stanczak focuses mainly on color, geometry and optical kinetics. The systematic process of modulating one color against another leads to a complex and carefully coordinated pattern. What appears to be a field of narrow vertical stripes creates a series of three-dimensional circles in the flux of time and space.

His “hard-edge” forms are bound to his thoroughly developed color modules. It is a long application process. After Stanczak had decided on the color scheme, the prepares test strips in order to match the different colors in value. To create a precise color interaction, he lays tape across the panel after using one color. There could be up to six coats to cover one color. With these rhythmic geometrical patterns he creates perceptual effects such as vibrations and after-images. These effects transform the viewer into an active participator and draw upon his deepest visual sensibilities.