"Life is like a Kaleidoscope"

Description: This piece, by Peter Max, is very eye catching and pops out at you. It has bright colors with lots of positive space and can be viewed from any angle; vertically, horizontally, upside down, right side up... There is one main shape which holds all of the other colors and shapes within it and is surrounded by a white background which can be viewed as different shapes when the eye is relaxed. The shapes found within the larger rounded four sided shape include organic and geometric shapes combined, often molding into one another: circles (many), squares and thick bubble like lines that start pointed at one end and end rounded at the other. The size and positioning of the different shapes gives it the illusion of being farther way and then getting closer...like a kaleidoscope.

Interpretation: The artist wanted the viewers eyes to be pulled into the center of the piece right away. The trail of circles and other small shapes leads the eyes in but also out of the center connecting it with the flowers on the outside corners of the main shape. The artist seemed to want to draw the viewers eye to the immediate center of the picture and then lead them out toward the edges. The colors used in this painting are light shades of bright colors. The use of non bright colors helps it from giving off a to chaotic feeling, and instead a warm light feeling.

Evaluation: The perspective feeling of being pulled into the painting and then finding your way out of it is what appeals to me most. The use of the color white for the background and negative space is not very flattering to the piece. It is filled with many light colors to begin with, having another one, white non the less, makes it to light. Dark blue or black might have served it better. While on the topic of colors, I'm not crazy about all the ones used. I like the fact that they're light so it's easy to see what shapes are where but it includes to much orange. The colors seem to be randomly picked and thrown together. Even though the color is a big part of a painting, I have to admit that over all I it. Max's modern day take on ancient mendalla's is very cool and hip.

Max, Peter. Carousel Mindflowers, 1967. Owner/City N/A.
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