results in an inability to see as sensitively. It occurs, for e×ample, if someone shines a bright light into your eye, or you enter a dim room. “In the same way, you can adapt out components of your visual system, and then when you move your eyes, you mask some of the other colours. By looking at these vertical stripes you can adapt out those components of the visual system that process vertical stripes, and at the same time you are adapting out a colour channel, so if you move your eyes then it all jumps about.” He tips his head sideways to view the stripes horizontally. “But if you move your head to the side, then the bits of your brain that process horizontal information haven’t been affected so you see everything OK again.” I try it, and it does work. But why should it be that some of her paintings are actually uncomfortable to view? “The brain processes form and colour separately, then puts them together later,” he says. “These paintings give you confusing information, which makes you feel uncomfortable because you know there’s something wrong. It actually hurts to look at them after a while. It’s the visual equivalent of discordant music.” Sillito also notes that the optical effects of the works can vary depending on where one stands in relation to them. “You can’t be too close or you don’t e×perience the full effect. The eye can’t accommodate it sufficiently.” He worries. “I can imagine this will be a terrible e×hibition to go around because there will be all these people standing a foot away from the painting.” He said.
55