Soft Machine 

Cassidy Rae Marietta created this print, "Soft Machine," in the style of the late twentieth century. The colorful swirling patterns evoke the psychedelic aesthetic of the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time of social upheaval and cultural experimentation. Looking closely, we see a combination of circles, semi-circles, and quarter-circles, some filled with organic, flowing lines and others with geometric patterns. This interplay between organic and geometric forms speaks to the cultural shifts happening at the time, in particular the move away from rigid forms towards embracing the more 'natural' or organic. Marietta’s work fits within a larger historical context of artists pushing against established norms and exploring new ways of seeing and representing the world. Art historians rely on period publications, manifestos, and critical writings to understand how artists like Marietta engaged with their contemporary social and political landscape. Ultimately, we appreciate art as something deeply embedded within its historical moment.