Fall 1963

Bridget Riley made this black and white painting with wavy lines to make your eyes dance. I can imagine her, brush in hand, plotting out each curve. Did she feel like she was on a rollercoaster, too? It’s like she bottled up the feeling of falling without actually falling. It makes you think about movement, even though it’s totally still. These lines feel like they’re breathing, expanding and contracting. You can’t help but think about other artists, like Victor Vasarely, who messed with our perception. Riley isn’t just painting lines, she’s staging an experience. You get lost in the rhythm, like a song with no end. And, isn’t that what art is all about, really?