Bridget Riley's *Movement* series from 1962, characterized by its dizzying, kaleidoscopic patterns, marks a pivotal moment in her exploration of geometric abstraction. These two defining screen prints, considered groundbreaking upon their creation, employ simple, monochromatic shapes to create an illusion of intense motion. Despite their two-dimensionality, the rhythmic arrangement of forms gives rise to a powerful, disorienting effect, as the shapes seem to pulse and shift on the flat surface. This series captures Riley's innovative approach to manipulating optical perception, drawing the viewer into an unsettling, almost hypnotic experience.
In the *Movement* series, Riley uses precise geometric shapes to create an illusion of depth and motion, resulting in a visual tension that captivates the eye. The monochromatic palette strips away any distraction of color, sharpening the focus on the interplay of shapes and the powerful optical effects they produce. The viewer may feel an almost visceral reaction as the lines and forms seem to sway and bend, producing a sense of instability and flux. Riley’s careful arrangement of these elements speaks to her ability to harness simplicity to create profound, immersive experiences, where the viewer becomes acutely aware of the act of seeing.
These two works in the *Movement* series were indeed Riley's breakthrough into abstraction, paving the way for her to delve deeper into the Op Art movement. With these pieces, Riley established herself as a pioneer in creating visual phenomena that challenge the stability of perception. The series exemplifies her skill in using repetition, alignment, and shape to transform a static medium into a dynamic experience, laying the groundwork for the explorations of color and form that would define her later career. Through the *Movement* series, Riley invites viewers into an optical journey, where movement emerges from stillness and geometric precision blurs into an almost dreamlike motion.