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Part of: Shadow and Illusion  (10 resources )
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Shadow and Illusion 


I’ve chosen a collection of images that use strong contrast and value to create and emphasize shadows and negative space. I find the initial ambiguity and anonymity of these figures, places, and designs to be elusive of the real subject being represented.

Copyright
All Rights Reserved
Created by
Molly Rayanne McLaughlin
Last Updated
May 25, 2022 2:28 p.m.

10 Items in this Learning Collection
One of five prints from the suite "The Means to an End--A Shadow Drama in Five Acts"

Collection Object
Untitled
At the top of the print, there are three oval shapes, from the left, the first white and the next two black. Undulating horizontal black and white lines create a rectangular section at the center of the composition, interrupted to create other geometric shapes. There are light grey, black, and white triangles and squares at the bottom of the image. Overall, the background is a solid grey. The print is signed in pencil (l.r.) "Vasarely-" and numbered in ink (l.l.) "70/150".
Collection Object
Shadows II, from "If & (Silk)"

Collection Object
Casita de Campo
A black and white lithograph print of a house angled to the right. The right side has windows with open shutters that cast shadows. The face of the house is slightly shaded by a small porch, and two shuttered doors are open.
Collection Object
Handstand
Print featuring a stage with a figure of a man with his feet touching his head while doing a handstand on a small table flanked by two chairs. His large shadow is cast on the wall behind him. The head and hands of a conductor are visible in the lower right.
Collection Object
Two Zebra Nudes
Two cropped nude figures in front of a window, the shadows cast by the window blinds creating patterns on their skin. 
Collection Object
Calle del Sol
A black and white lithograph depicts three door entrances from the inside of the building, and the shadow of the door frame is seen on the ground.
Collection Object
London
A high contrast portrait of a woman. Shadows fall over half of her face creating a dramatic and graphic chiaroscuro. Her arm extends from the bottom left corner, comprising the majority of the compostion.
Collection Object
White on Black
Four lean and shadowed figures of various heights. They appear to be floating on the image, aas none of their feet are on any surface. Three figures are in profile looking left while one is in profile facing the right.
Collection Object
Night Shadows

Collection Object


I’ve chosen a collection of images that use strong contrast and value to create and emphasize shadows and negative space. I find the initial ambiguity and anonymity of these figures, places, and designs to be elusive of the real subject being represented.

10 Items in this Learning Collection
One of five prints from the suite "The Means to an End--A Shadow Drama in Five Acts"

Collection Object
Untitled
At the top of the print, there are three oval shapes, from the left, the first white and the next two black. Undulating horizontal black and white lines create a rectangular section at the center of the composition, interrupted to create other geometric shapes. There are light grey, black, and white triangles and squares at the bottom of the image. Overall, the background is a solid grey. The print is signed in pencil (l.r.) "Vasarely-" and numbered in ink (l.l.) "70/150".
Collection Object
Shadows II, from "If & (Silk)"

Collection Object
Casita de Campo
A black and white lithograph print of a house angled to the right. The right side has windows with open shutters that cast shadows. The face of the house is slightly shaded by a small porch, and two shuttered doors are open.
Collection Object
Handstand
Print featuring a stage with a figure of a man with his feet touching his head while doing a handstand on a small table flanked by two chairs. His large shadow is cast on the wall behind him. The head and hands of a conductor are visible in the lower right.
Collection Object
Two Zebra Nudes
Two cropped nude figures in front of a window, the shadows cast by the window blinds creating patterns on their skin. 
Collection Object
Calle del Sol
A black and white lithograph depicts three door entrances from the inside of the building, and the shadow of the door frame is seen on the ground.
Collection Object
London
A high contrast portrait of a woman. Shadows fall over half of her face creating a dramatic and graphic chiaroscuro. Her arm extends from the bottom left corner, comprising the majority of the compostion.
Collection Object
White on Black
Four lean and shadowed figures of various heights. They appear to be floating on the image, aas none of their feet are on any surface. Three figures are in profile looking left while one is in profile facing the right.
Collection Object
Night Shadows

Collection Object

Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

Untitled

Accession Number
1983/1.404.3

Title
Untitled

Artist(s)
Victor Vasarely

Artist Nationality
French (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1959

Medium & Support
screenprint on paper

Dimensions
25 1/2 in x 19 7/16 in (64.7 cm x 49.3 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of the Estate of Maxine W. Kunstadter in memory of Sigmund Kunstadter, Class of 1922

Subject matter
One of the later contributions to his "Black & White" series, this print shows the Op Art artist's engagement with optical illusions in order to create the visual effects of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. Part of a portfolio of twelve prints, this work served as an hommage to the french scientist Alexandre Dauviller, best known for his work in developing the technology needed for television and his early histories on television. The shapes and lines, therefore, can be read as elements and effects of the techology used in the creation and use of television.
 

Physical Description
At the top of the print, there are three oval shapes, from the left, the first white and the next two black. Undulating horizontal black and white lines create a rectangular section at the center of the composition, interrupted to create other geometric shapes. There are light grey, black, and white triangles and squares at the bottom of the image. Overall, the background is a solid grey. The print is signed in pencil (l.r.) "Vasarely-" and numbered in ink (l.l.) "70/150".

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
abstract

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Op art
abstraction
geometric shape
geometric shapes
modern and contemporary art
optical illusion

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All Rights Reserved