"Victor Vasarely: Optical Perspectives" Exhibition Opens at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts

September 09, 2011 On September 10 at Eagle Gallery of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts Victor Vasarely. Optical Perspectives exhibition will open. The 44 works presented at the exhibition are selections from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection. 

On the day of public opening the admission to Eagle Gallery will be free of charge. 
“By this exhibition we present an artist of global repute, the father of Op-Art Victor Vasarely. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts continues to host Armenian and international contemporary art in its diversity”, the Acting Executive Director of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts Vahagn Marabyan stated. 

He also noted that two educational programs will be launched in conjunction with Victor Vasarely.Optical Perspectives exhibition. The program Op Art. Permutations of Colour  and Shape is intended for children aged 6-12, while Introduction to Printing program will accommodate senior schoolchildren, as well as university students and adults. “The purpose of the programs is to contribute to the discovery of Vasarely’s versatile art, stimulate the creativity of children, as well as provide insight into printing technique”, added Vahagn Marabyan. 

The first Op Art: Permutations of Color and Shape program will take place on the day of exhibition opening, September 10, at 12:00. The partner for both new educational programs is “ArmenTel” company (Beeline brand). 

As the head of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts noted, the opening of the exhibition on September 10 will be accompanied by an event of Encounters with Art program. This time the event will disclose the Op Art as a major direction in contemporary art. It will include a guided tour in the exhibition gallery, a presentation of new educational programs launched in conjunction with Victor Vasarely. Optical Perspectives exhibition and a presentation on Op Art by art historian Lilit Sargsyan. 

A prominent figure in 20th century art, Victor Vasarely was born in Pécs, Hungary in 1906. Having studied art at the Podolini-Volkmann private academy and then at “Muhely” Academy in Budapest, Vasarely moved to Paris in 1930. Exploring the optical effects and interaction of color and form, Vasarely developed his own style of geometric abstraction, founding a new art movement. In 1965, after the “Responsive Eye” exhibition at the New York Museum of Modern Art, Vasarely was recognized as the father of Op Art. 

Defining the principle of unity of color and form, Vasarely created the plastic alphabet, the units of which, through reconfigurations and permutations, generate endless creative combinations. By developing the plastic alphabet into the universal language of art, Victor Vasarely aspired to make art accessible to all, contributing to the harmonious development of art and society. 
The Cafesjian Center for the Arts (CCA) is dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary art to Armenia and presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world. Inspired by the vision of its founder, Mr. Gerard L. Cafesjian, the Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions, derived from Mr. Cafesjian’s own extensive collection of contemporary art. Having celebrated its grand opening in November 2009, CCA continues to exhibit unique works of modern art and offers a diverse program of visiting lecturers, films, concerts, and numerous educational initiatives for children and adults.