Five Paintings IV One of the most extraordinary examples of McCracken's illusory surfaces occurs with Five Paintings IV, 1974. This wall-mounted work has a black polyester resin finish. From some angles the surface is opaque, from others highly reflective, and from still others it seems to reveal great depth. A happy accident in the creation of the work sealed many tiny air bubbles or particulates in the piece. When these catch the light, they suggest a galaxy of stars on a moonless night. John McCracken, Phenomenal: Exhibited Works imperfections
How things ought to be It is hard to give up preconceptions of what things “ought to be,” and recognize things as they really are. Christopher Alexander, The Timeless Way of Building The way of things wisdom