Static 2

Gazing at this canvas punctuated with regular oval spots causes a slight sensation of loss of balance. This visual phenomenon is the result of a clever illusion: the ellipses that make up the apparently symmetrical grid of Static 2 actually “turn” in opposite directions and at various speeds, leading the eye to wander disoriented in the composition.

The mesmerising painting Static 2 belongs to the first series of black and white optical illusion paintings, created by Bridget Riley between 1961 and 1966. Her experimental works rely on the manipulation of geometric shapes to create the illusion of movement within the work, generating a visual dialogue with the viewer.

An emblematic work of Bridget Riley’s exploration of the challenges of optical perception, Static 2 belongs to the Pinault Collection. It was first shown at the “Prima Materia” (“Raw Material”) exhibition at the Punta della Dogana.