Every piece is a UNIQUE variant; Screen print with black enamel; Hand signed and numbered. Unique variant.
Crazy (With Background Noise) by Mel Bochner is a vibrant and provocative screen print from 2018, showcasing his signature use of text as both a visual and conceptual element. This unique variant, signed and numbered by the artist, features a cacophony of words synonymous with insanity, such as LOOPY, DIZZY, NUTTY, and BATTY, all layered in bold, colorful fonts across a black background. Each word seems to compete for attention, creating a dizzying effect that embodies the chaotic nature of the subject. Beneath the black enamel, hints of a colorful, almost graffiti-like background noise seep through, adding depth and complexity. Bochner’s work challenges viewers to confront language's impact on perception, particularly in how words shape and distort understanding. This limited edition piece is a striking example of Bochner’s exploration of text, psychology, and visual overload.
Mel Bochner (USA, 1940-2025) was a conceptual artist and pioneer in text-based art. Known for his bold use of language, color, and mathematical precision, his works explore the intersection of linguistics, perception, and visual art. Bochner’s influential practice challenges viewers to reconsider the relationship between words and images.
Screen-printScreen printing is a technique where ink is transferred through a mesh onto a substrate, with areas blocked by a stencil to prevent ink from passing through. This method, also known as serigraphy or silkscreen printing, is commonly used to produce prints on posters, T-shirts, vinyl, stickers, wood, and other materials. The process is a type of stencil printing, allowing for vibrant, detailed designs on various surfaces.
Every piece is a UNIQUE variant; Screen print with black enamel; Hand signed and numbered. Unique variant.
Crazy (With Background Noise) by Mel Bochner is a vibrant and provocative screen print from 2018, showcasing his signature use of text as both a visual and conceptual element. This unique variant, signed and numbered by the artist, features a cacophony of words synonymous with insanity, such as LOOPY, DIZZY, NUTTY, and BATTY, all layered in bold, colorful fonts across a black background. Each word seems to compete for attention, creating a dizzying effect that embodies the chaotic nature of the subject. Beneath the black enamel, hints of a colorful, almost graffiti-like background noise seep through, adding depth and complexity. Bochner’s work challenges viewers to confront language's impact on perception, particularly in how words shape and distort understanding. This limited edition piece is a striking example of Bochner’s exploration of text, psychology, and visual overload.
Mel Bochner (USA, 1940-2025) was a conceptual artist and pioneer in text-based art. Known for his bold use of language, color, and mathematical precision, his works explore the intersection of linguistics, perception, and visual art. Bochner’s influential practice challenges viewers to reconsider the relationship between words and images.
The viewer should enter the idea through a visual or phenomenological experience rather than simply reading it.
- Mel Bochner
Regarded as one of the most influential and successful pioneers of Conceptual art,, Mel Bochner analyzed the relationship between language, physical space, and color through his text-based paintings. His work often featured expletives and derogatory words rendered in soft, pastel tones such as pink, while complimentary words appeared in sludgy brown or soiled black, subverting expected emotional responses.
One of Bochner’s most celebrated works was a series of thesaurus-based paintings, in which he filled walls with synonyms for a single word, encouraging viewers to reflect on the language they use and the meanings words carry. Throughout his career, he was vocal about his need to experiment with various materials and approaches as a means of fulfilling his artistic expression and creativity. He elaborated on this philosophy in his essay The Medium and the Tedium. (Artist website)
Lettrism is an art form that uses letters, words, and symbols to create artwork. The movement was established in Paris in the 1940s and later gained popularity in the 1950s in America. Lettrisme is the French spelling of the movement's name, derived from the French word for letter.