Fontana Mix (Dark Grey) 1981

John Cage made ‘Fontana Mix (Dark Grey)’ without a specified date, it looks like he worked with lithography. The overlay of shapes and marks creates a feeling of a space between music and drawing. You have the lines, which could be musical notations, and the grid, which could be a kind of visual scale. But it is the combination of these things that gives the piece its energy. I love the way Cage embraces chance here, almost like a jazz solo, trusting his instincts to guide the ink across the paper. The marks sit on the surface but create depth. Look at the way he has drawn the lines. Some are solid, some are dashed, giving the impression of movement and rhythm. It reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, especially in its use of line and grid to create a sense of calm and order. Both artists invite us to slow down and really see. Cage's work, like all good art, is an invitation to join the conversation. What do you hear when you look at this piece?