Untitled (Striped Surface) 1961

Enrico Castellani made this striped surface painting with what looks like household paint, black and white. I imagine he built this thing up, each line an experiment, pushing and pulling. It’s not just stripes, it’s a whole world of wobbly lines, each with its own little bumps and curves. You can sense the artist’s hand, adjusting, reacting, as he went along. I love how the texture messes with your eyes. Are the lines raised, or is it an illusion? Maybe Castellani wanted to mess with your head, to make you question what you think you see. It reminds me of Agnes Martin and her grids, but looser, more human. Like a conversation between control and chaos. It’s painting as a way of thinking, a way of seeing, a way of feeling. And isn't that what it's all about?