Conversation 1992

Editor: So, here we have Bridget Riley’s "Conversation" from 1992, crafted with acrylic on canvas. What immediately strikes me is its vibrancy; these parallel lines seem to hum with energy. It’s more dynamic than I initially expected. As an iconographer, how do you interpret this work beyond its obvious visual pop? Curator: Beyond the immediately arresting colour and dynamism, consider how Riley uses geometry as a symbolic language. These vertical bands, pulsating with varied colours and stripes, trigger something deeply embedded in our visual cortex. Notice how she evokes an almost rhythmic sensation; do you think this repetitive motif alludes to something universal, something pre-linguistic perhaps? Editor: Pre-linguistic, that’s an interesting idea! So, moving beyond purely optical sensations, are you suggesting Riley’s tapping into something like, primal communication through pattern? Almost like an abstracted, visual form of language preceding words? Curator: Precisely! Think of the inherent human inclination towards pattern recognition. Riley cleverly uses these familiar tools - colour and stripe - to establish this very visual communication. What emotional reactions are stirred within you as you view this conversation through these bands of colour? Editor: Well, it's making me think about the kind of back-and-forth you might have in a lively debate or even just casual chat – different viewpoints represented by the various hues, sometimes clashing, sometimes harmonizing. Does that fit within your framework? Curator: Absolutely. Riley invites us to consider the nature of interactions, mirroring in abstraction the nuances of conversation itself. Observe the colour relationships. Do any combinations suggest to you any degree of concord or tension? How might these mirror emotional experiences within dialogue? Editor: I see what you mean. The contrast of colours creates distinct voices, like a crowded room all vying for attention. I guess I see the symbols in a different way now, a reflection of social dynamics. Curator: And that understanding, that interpretation of familiar human patterns projected upon an abstracted space, underscores the lasting cultural power of visual language. It's a compelling way to start thinking about our everyday interactions. Editor: Right, a non-verbal dialogue expressed through geometric language! This has opened my eyes to layers I hadn't considered initially.