Caldor 1976

Victor Vasarely’s *Caldor* is a mesmerizing example of Op Art, made with paint on canvas. The impact of *Caldor* lies in its illusionistic depth, a visual trick achieved through precise application of color and form. Look closely, and you will see the meticulous process of painting, each shape and color carefully considered to create this effect. Vasarely has employed a high level of craft and mathematical calculation to achieve this. The shapes are uniformly painted, giving the overall feeling of a factory-made image, questioning what the hand has to do with the work. Vasarely’s serial, geometric style lends itself well to mass production, as was the case with much mid-century design. This piece reflects an era of increased industrialization and mass production, blurring the boundaries between art and design. By embracing such methods, Vasarely challenges our conventional notions of art, inviting us to consider the social and cultural implications embedded in the making of art.