Variations cinétiques 1971

Martha Boto created this vibrant, colourful, and geometric artwork called Variations cinétiques with—well, we don't know exactly what! I can imagine her carefully mapping out the grid, maybe feeling a little like she was on a mission. The way the colours pop and play off each other, it's almost like they're dancing. Red bumps into turquoise, purple gets cosy with white and black... It's a real party! I can imagine her applying the paint precisely and meticulously. The colours have been evenly applied within each square, creating a clean and balanced composition. You can see how she has controlled her medium to bring out what she intended! But there is so much joy in pattern-making and the interplay of shapes. I bet she was really "in the zone", chasing that optical buzz. It reminds me a little bit of Bridget Riley, but with a warmer palette. Artists are always in conversation, borrowing and riffing off each other's ideas. We don't have to be locked into one interpretation. This piece embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, inviting us to bring our own experiences and feelings to the mix.