Although all paintings have a hierarchy, sometimes multiple codes may be in place.  Scale can mean either distance in perspective or social rank  dependent upon the hierarchy in play.  Yet without a hierarchy in paintings, it becomes like gazing at a singular point, where everything disappears. For our vision is based upon differences. Our attention is brought to that which is significant (or shall be intellectually so as we notice it), our eyes need to move to see, to register differences and so the hierarchy in paintings need to 'shimmer' , to continually re-register.

Hence in a given hierarchy, anti-hierarchy can be read.as part of the system of meaning.  So distortion can at times become part of the paintings hierarchical structure, even though it stands outside of it.    As here, in this derivative of a short track speed skating championship race work.

© GAMcCullough      2014