Mel Bochner, Crazy, 2022 |
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| Artist: | Mel Bochner (1940 - ) |
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| Title: | Crazy, 2022 |
| Medium: | Unique Monoprint in oil paint with collage, engraving and embossment on hand-dyed Twinrocker handmade paper. |
| Image Size: | 30 in x 22 1/4 in (76.2 cm x 56.5 cm) |
| Sheet Size: | 30 in x 22 1/4 in (76.2 cm x 56.5 cm) |
| Framed Size: | 35 1/2 in x 27 1/2 in (90.2 cm x 69.9 cm) |
| Signature: | This work is hand-signed by Mel Bochner (Pittsburgh, 1940 - ) in graphite on recto. |
| Condition: | This work is in excellent condition. |
| ID # | w-7994 |
A bold artwork from renowned American Conceptual artist, Mel Bochner Crazy, 2022 features a stunning palette of bright colors. Horizontal stripes of different colored hand-dyed Twinrocker paper are collaged together to create a multicolored rectangular background. In a portrait orientation, nine lines of text fill the composition from left to right, and top to bottom reading: “CRAZY GA- | GA, GOONY | LOONY LO- | CO, SCHIZ | ZO, PSYCHO, | SPACED-OUT, | FUCKED-UP, | FOAMING AT | THE MOUTH.” with each word alternating in color from the preceding. This array of synonyms is poignant on its own, while the graphic capital letters and striking colors add another layer of intensity. To arrive at this text, Bochner would choose words from a thesaurus, and arrange the words to fit a designated format, in this case, rectangle measuring roughly 32 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Bochner elaborates on his process, comparing it to “a sort of degegeneration of language, as it moves from the more polite and formal to the more vulgar and bodily” (Bochner, A Conversation between Mel Bochner and Barry Schwabsky, Mel Bochner Monoprints, New York: Two Palms, 2012). Pure oil paint with strong pigmentation make up the lettering of this language based artwork. The glossy and thick impasto of the paint is raised in a painterly relief against the mat, and flat background of the collaged paper base, providing for a visually alluring contrast in texture.
Created in 2022, this monoprint in oil paint with collage, engraving and embossment on hand-dyed Twinrocker handmade paper is hand-signed and dated by Mel Bochner (Pittsburgh, 1940 - ) in pencil. Mel Bochner Crazy, 2022 is a unique and original work.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
1. Bochner, Mel. Monoprints: Mel Bochner: Words, Words, Words…New York: Two Palms, 2012. General information on Mel Bochner’s unique monoprints is discussed on pages 26-27. A similar unique monoprint in different colors is listed and illustrated as plate no. 21.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.
About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Mel Bochner Crazy, 2022 is presented in a complementary moulding.
