Cantus Firmus 1972 - 1973

Editor: Looking at Bridget Riley’s "Cantus Firmus", with its rhythmic, colored stripes, I am struck by the sheer labor involved in creating something so precise. What can you tell me about the means of production in this piece? Curator: The repetitive nature invites us to consider industrial processes, challenging the romantic notion of the artist's unique touch. How does Riley engage with the commodification of art through mass production? Editor: I see what you mean, it is very systematic. Almost like the steps involved in printing, but instead of a machine, it is a human hand repeating. Curator: Precisely. Thinking about this, what does the work say about the relationship between handmade and manufactured aesthetics, and how do audiences consume such an image? Editor: It's fascinating to consider the cultural context of labor and consumption when looking at this piece. Thank you. Curator: Indeed. Examining the making informs our appreciation.