Meta #5 1976

Victor Vasarely made this ‘Meta #5’ using some kind of printmaking process. It’s all about crisp edges and precise geometry. You can see the artmaking process in the way the cubes are laid out, shifting color and orientation to give this feeling of almost-3D. Looking closely, you’ll notice how the colors are layered, creating this illusion of depth and volume. It's not just about the geometric shapes but how the careful placement of each cube adds up. There’s something hypnotic about this piece, the way it pulls you in, and the way the two orbs seem to either recede or jump out at you, depending on how you look. Vasarely’s work reminds me a little of Josef Albers and his ‘Homage to the Square’ series, in the way that both artists explore the perceptual possibilities of color and form, but Vasarely takes it to another level by creating an immersive visual experience. It’s a testament to how art can challenge our perception and open up new ways of seeing.