Astron 1978

Brian Halsey's Astron is a print, and what strikes me is the tension between its flatness and the illusion of depth. It's like Halsey is setting up a game for our eyes. The interplay of orange and gray is so controlled, each color defining the edges of these blocky, almost architectural forms. It reminds me of Sol LeWitt’s structures, but with a warmer, more playful touch. Look closely at how each block is rendered; there’s a subtle gradient that gives them volume, a sense of light hitting a three-dimensional object. Then you realize, it's all on a flat plane! This piece is about seeing, about how we construct space in our minds. It’s not just a static image; it’s an invitation to participate in the act of perception. It is a really interesting way of making space in a picture.