Paintings shouldn't simply be seen, they should change the viewer, suspend him or her in an altered moment. A recent visit to exhibitions by Adolph Gottlieb, Ron Gorchov, and Douglas Florian proved one's sense of time and place can, indeed, be altered by a colored surface.

Adolph Gottlieb: Gravity, Suspension, Motion is on view at Pace Gallery through April 28, 2012. Ron Gorchov is on view at Cheim & Read though April 28, 2012, and Douglas Florian: Dawn Thieves is on view at BravinLee Programs (through May 5, 2012).