Harmas 1964

Victor Vasarely made this painting, titled "Harmas," using precise geometric shapes and a bold color scheme. Imagine Vasarely in his studio, carefully plotting out each square, circle, and diamond. I see a dialogue between order and chaos, where the rigidity of the grid is disrupted by the pulsating red shapes. There’s a real tension. It feels like he's trying to break free from the constraints of the pattern. The colors! Grays that shift almost imperceptibly, creating this subtle background hum. Then BAM! That vibrant red jumps out, doesn’t it? I wonder if Vasarely felt a similar jolt of energy as he added each shape? It's like he's playing with our perception, pushing and pulling us into different dimensions. His work reminds me of Bridget Riley’s explorations of perception, and how both artists manipulate the eye. I imagine the conversations they would have had! Ultimately, “Harmas” is an invitation to slow down, observe, and question how we see the world.