Something Else 1967

Ronnie Landfield's "Something Else" is a painting made with acrylic on canvas, deploying a direct application of paint in short, horizontal strokes. The material influences its appearance significantly, the inherent qualities of acrylic – its plasticity and bright color – are emphasized through Landfield's technique. The strokes of pure color are laid side by side, allowing the texture of the paint and the canvas to remain visible. This process, a kind of additive layering, imbues the work with a sense of depth and movement. Landfield's engagement with these traditional painting materials and techniques reflects a dialogue with earlier art movements, particularly Abstract Expressionism, which focused on the act of painting itself. However, the repetitive nature of the brushstrokes also suggests a connection to industrial processes, where labor is divided and standardized. Ultimately, understanding "Something Else" requires acknowledging both its artistic lineage and its engagement with broader social issues of labor, production, and consumption. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft by highlighting the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of the work.