Mel Bochner

American, 1940 - 2025

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This painting shows bold, rounded letters created in a repetitive pattern against a vibrant background. The abstract text "BLAH" is repeated multiple times in thinly applied white paint, with the letters appearing to drip slightly onto the bright red background. The vibrant red paint also drips at the bottom of the painting, where a beige canvas is partially visible.
Mel Bochner, Blah, Blah, Blah, 2011, oil on canvas, Gift of Mel Bochner in honor of Dr. James Meyer, 2015.154.1

Blah, Blah, Blah

Mel Bochner · 2011 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  2015.154.1
This painting contains bold, uppercase letters in different colors arranged against a background of twelve colorful horizontal stripes. The letters and background stripes are all in different colors, including blues, greens, reds, yellows, pinks, oranges, and browns. Some letters are hard to read against the stripes, while others stand out.
Mel Bochner, Master of the Universe, 2010, oil and acrylic on canvas, Gift of Anita and Burton Reiner, 2018.192.1

Master of the Universe

Mel Bochner · 2010 · oil and acrylic on canvas ·  Accession ID  2018.192.1
This is a drawing of phrases related to irritation and annoyance. The drawing features white handwritten words and phrases on a dark background. The words are connected by lines that group them into semantic clusters expressing related meanings or actions that cause irritation. Some words and phrases are inside bubbles to emphasize connections between them. The drawing visually represents synonyms and expressions used to describe annoying or provoking someone. The layout encourages viewers to explore the associations and levels of intensity between these terms.
Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Georgia Kung, Aggravate from Schematics, 2010, etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper, Gift of Neal T. Turtell and Thomas G. Klarner, 2022.35.4

Aggravate from Schematics

Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Georgia Kung · 2010 · etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper ·  Accession ID  2022.35.4
Abstract artwork displaying interconnected words and phrases in a web-like structure. Lines connect these words creating a pattern resembling a branching tree or neural network. Each word or phrase is outlined, similar to leaves on a tree. The phrases are connected by arrows, creating a sense of flow and direction. The composition encourages exploration of connections between familiar expressions.
Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Doug Bennett, Criticize from Schematics, 2010, etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper, Gift of Neal T. Turtell and Thomas G. Klarner, 2022.35.5

Criticize from Schematics

Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Doug Bennett · 2010 · etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper ·  Accession ID  2022.35.5
The image shows bold, blocky letters in different colors arranged in stacked lines on a dark, textured background. Words like "SCOUNDREL," "MISCREANT," and "MOTHERFUCKER" are visible among others, creating a pattern. The colors and textures give the design an abstract quality resembling a collage or textual art.
Mel Bochner, Scoundrel, 2010, monoprint with embossing on handmade paper, Gift of Neal T. Turtell and Thomas G. Klarner, 2022.35.8

Scoundrel

Mel Bochner · 2010 · monoprint with embossing on handmade paper ·  Accession ID  2022.35.8
The image displays interconnected oval and circular shapes with text inside each shape and lines connecting them. The words inside the shapes include "LIAR," "DISSEMBLER," "FIBBER," and "SNAKE IN THE GRASS." The arrangement suggests a network of deception or falsehood.
Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Doug Bennett, Liar from Schematics, 2010, etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper, Gift of Neal T. Turtell and Thomas G. Klarner, 2022.35.6

Liar from Schematics

Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Doug Bennett · 2010 · etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper ·  Accession ID  2022.35.6
This image displays interconnected words and phrases forming a web-like structure on a dark background. The design features curving lines and arrows linking various words like "Power," "Authority," and "Influence." The arrangement resembles a mind map or flowchart, guiding the eye through phrases like "In the driver's seat" and "Pull the strings," possibly connecting to the idea of control and leadership. Directional lines organize thoughts in a structured format similar to brainstorming diagrams.
Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Doug Bennett, Power from Schematics, 2010, etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper, Gift of Neal T. Turtell and Thomas G. Klarner, 2022.35.7

Power from Schematics

Mel Bochner, Two Palms Press, Inc., Two Palms Press, Inc., Craig Zammiello, Douglas Volle, Doug Bennett · 2010 · etching with aquatint on wove Somerset paper ·  Accession ID  2022.35.7
The image displays a variety of overlapping shapes in different colors such as yellow, blue, purple, and green. The shapes include circles and vertical lines, creating an abstract appearance. There is also multicolored, bold text on top of these shapes, blending with the design and adding visual complexity.
Mel Bochner, David Paul Lasry, Roger White, Alexis Lowry, Melissa Brown, If the Color Changes, 2001, color monoprint with embossing on handmade Twinrocker paper, Gift of Werner H. and Sarah-Ann Kramarsky, 2002.18.3

If the Color Changes

Mel Bochner, David Paul Lasry, Roger White, Alexis Lowry, Melissa Brown · 2001 · color monoprint with embossing on handmade Twinrocker paper ·  Accession ID  2002.18.3
The image shows a grid of colorful letters overlapping to form a block of text, with the shapes melding into one another. The text is layered in bright yellow, aqua, orange, and pink colors, creating an abstract and intricate pattern. The letters create a maze-like design similar to stained glass windows or a collage, challenging the viewer to decipher the words amidst the interplay of color and shape.
Mel Bochner, Roger White, Melissa Brown, Alexis Lowry, David Paul Lasry, If the Color Changes, 2001, color monoprint with embossing on handmade Twinrocker paper, Gift of the Collectors Committee, 2002.18.1

If the Color Changes

Mel Bochner, Roger White, Melissa Brown, Alexis Lowry, David Paul Lasry · 2001 · color monoprint with embossing on handmade Twinrocker paper ·  Accession ID  2002.18.1
The image displays multiple layers of circular and elliptical shapes closely arranged to create an abstract background. The shapes are in hues of yellow, purple, pink, teal, and other colors. Bold, capital text in a mix of purple, blue, and yellow, in both German and English, overlays the colorful backdrop. The composition creates an abstract artwork that draws the eye across the piece.
Mel Bochner, David Paul Lasry, Roger White, Melissa Brown, Alexis Lowry, If the Color Changes, 2001, color monoprint with embossing on handmade Twinrocker paper, Gift of the Collectors Committee, 2002.18.2

If the Color Changes

Mel Bochner, David Paul Lasry, Roger White, Melissa Brown, Alexis Lowry · 2001 · color monoprint with embossing on handmade Twinrocker paper ·  Accession ID  2002.18.2