Shrine 1942

Josef Albers made this print, "Shrine," on paper, and it’s all about how simple lines can make you see something that isn't really there. Look at how Albers stacks these squares and rectangles. It's like he's building a structure, but from the bare minimum. The black lines are so precise, but the whole thing kind of vibrates, doesn't it? It's like your eyes can't quite decide what's in front and what's behind. That's Albers playing with perception, making you an active participant in seeing. It reminds me of Sol LeWitt's structures, but with more optical illusion. Albers isn't just showing you a shape; he’s showing you how shapes can trick your brain, how art is as much about seeing as it is about thinking. It’s not just a shrine; it's a question mark.