Network Player 1985

This intriguing piece, *Network Player*, was made by Ray Howlett, but when exactly, I'm not sure. Look at the way the light is captured here! It's so satisfying, and I bet it was for Howlett, too, as he figured out how to play with and arrange those lines. I mean, imagine him in his studio, totally focused on the way each stroke interacts with the others, building up this electric pyramid line by line. The crisscrossing lines really do make me think of a network—a web of connections and communications. It’s pretty cool how the sharp angles and vibrant colors give it this kind of futuristic, digital vibe, right? You could see this as being in conversation with constructivist artists who were also interested in geometric forms and technological themes, but Howlett's got his own thing going on, something about the feeling of the flow of information. It makes me think about how we're all plugged in, constantly exchanging data and ideas. It's a painting that’s alive.