Song of Orpheus IV 1978

Bridget Riley made "Song of Orpheus IV" using stripes of color, and the way they move makes me think about how we see, not just what we see. The surface is so smooth, almost like it was printed, but there's a feeling of movement. Those colors, they're not shouting, but they're not quiet either. They vibrate. Look at how each stripe has its own little dance. It's like Riley's saying, "Hey, seeing is an action. It's something you do." It reminds me of Agnes Martin in some ways, but with more rhythm, and less quiet meditation. When you look closely, you can see the subtle variations in each stripe. It feels like Riley is playing with our eyes, pushing and pulling us. It's not just a pattern; it's an experience. It's like music you can see, or a feeling turned into a picture. That's what makes it so cool.