Ring Image C 2008

Robert Mangold, born in 1937, created "Ring Image C," a piece that resonates with the minimalist movement, and yet diverges in subtle, thought-provoking ways. Emerging in a period marked by social change and the questioning of traditional forms, Mangold’s work invites us to explore the intersection of geometry and subjective experience. The turquoise ring, divided into segments by faint lines, suggests a sense of incompleteness. This echoes the fragmented nature of identity and the human experience. The ring form itself, unbroken yet defined by absence, mirrors the paradox of being both connected and isolated within society. Mangold once stated, "I wanted to make paintings that were neither objects nor images." In its attempt to be neither, the ring image offers an alternative narrative to traditional representations, pushing viewers to question the boundaries of art and their own perceptions. Ultimately, the artwork reflects societal issues of belonging and individuality, mirroring personal dimensions of contemplation and introspection.