The Role of Fixational Eye Movements in Perceptual Experience of Op Art

Fixational eye movements are still not fully understood in regards of how they influence visual perception. This thesis examines the role of fixational eye-movements, especially Microsaccades, in the perception of Op Art, a genre of visual art which applies the effects of high-contrast and geometric patterns to create the illusion of movement, depth, or other visual effects. Based on eye-tracking evidence, this paper explores the importance of involuntary oculomotor activity in the visual perception of illusions in Op-Art, and emphasizes the active role of the visual system in illusory perception, providing a trans-disciplinary insight into how science and art interact in affecting the viewer’s experience.