Kartchou 1976

Victor Vasarely made this piece, Kartchou, using a geometric grid and bright, contrasting colours to play tricks on your eyes. The surface appears so smooth, like it's been printed, but I bet if you got up close, you'd see the subtle variations in the paint that reveal the hand of the artist. The texture almost vibrates with the optical illusion. I’m drawn to how the black diamonds anchor the undulating waves of color, creating a push-and-pull effect. It reminds me a bit of Bridget Riley, another artist who explored these kinds of visual games. Vasarely wasn’t just making pretty patterns; he was experimenting with how we perceive space and form. He was interested in how art could engage the viewer in a dynamic and active way, challenging our assumptions about what we see. For Vasarely, ambiguity and the potential for multiple readings are not weaknesses but strengths.