Déplacement optique “A” 1967

This luminescent box, Déplacement optique “A”, is a piece by Martha Boto, but I couldn’t tell you exactly when she made it or with what. The repeated green shapes have a life of their own, suspended in the black background. It reminds me of the way light refracts through water or glass, creating patterns that are both familiar and surprising. Look closely, and you can see the subtle variations in each shape. It’s like Boto is trying to capture a fleeting moment, freezing motion in time. The transparency of the medium is key here. The way the light filters through these forms gives them an ethereal quality, so the whole piece feels like it’s breathing, shimmering. This piece reminds me of the work of Yayoi Kusama, who also explores themes of repetition and infinity in her installations. There’s a sense of endlessness, as if the patterns could go on forever, a reminder of the boundless potential of art to reshape our perception.