The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) proudly presents a new art exhibit, Victor Vasarely: Calculated Compositions, opening Friday, October 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Widely regarded as the “Father of the Op Art movement,” French-Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely became entranced by patterns, including that of a chessboard in the late 1930s, which became the quintessential framework for his art. Works in the exhibit are on loan from the collection of the Herakleidon Museum, Athens, Greece, and are supplemented by selections from the collections of the World Chess Hall of Fame and Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield.
The majority of the works in the exhibition are serigraphs, prints made via silkscreen process. Prints were aligned with Vasarely’s beliefs, since large editions could be enjoyed by a greater number of people. In addition, there are several fine examples of gouache on paper as well as a chessboard by the artist and other historic objects including etchings, collage and posters.
“Vasarely was a true pioneer of optical art. It’s important to note that he created these works pre-technology, entirely by hand, which is part of what makes them so impressive,” says Paul Firos, Founder of the Herakleidon Museum and President of PAN Art Connections.
Victor Vasarely: Calculated Compositions will be on display through March 25, 2018 at the World Chess Hall of Fame, located at 4652 Maryland Plaza in the Central West End. Admission is complimentary with a suggested donation of $5.
