Master Of The Universe
Master Of The Universe
Signed Mixed Media
Mel Bochner
£90,000-£120,000
$170,000-$230,000 Value Indicator
$170,000-$230,000 Value Indicator
¥820,000-¥1,090,000 Value Indicator
€110,000-€140,000 Value Indicator
$950,000-$1,260,000 Value Indicator
¥19,630,000-¥26,180,000 Value Indicator
$120,000-$160,000 Value Indicator
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196 x 119cm, Mixed Media
Meaning & Analysis
Mel Bochner’s Master Of The Universe (2022) is a unique cast paper monoprint in oil. An extension of Bochner’s Thesaurus Paintings, the work toys with phrases synonymous with “MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE” in easily legible typography, allowing the viewer to infer meaning from the word chain.
Typical of Bochner’s wordplay, Master Of The Universe unites a series of phrases derived from the title of the work: “MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE, TOP DOG, HEAD HON-CHO, KING OF THE HILL, NU-MERO UNO, THE BIG ENCHILADA, THE BOSS, THE DECIDER, RULE WITH AN IRON HAND, GOTCHA BY THE BALLS.” The monoprint technique pronounces raised letterforms which push the language into physical space, while colour functions like intonation: pronouncing the sarcasm and bravado laden within these words. As Bochner himself said of the Thesaurus works, “you can’t walk by it and not try to decipher it” – and Master Of The Universe is no exception.
