Mel Bochner's On Certainty series consists of twelve relief prints produced in 1991, drawing inspiration from Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophical text of the same name. This series explores themes of knowledge, perception, and doubt through a combination of textual elements and abstract visual forms. Bochner integrates snippets of Wittgenstein's text with his signature approach to typography and colour, creating a dynamic interplay between the philosophical concepts and their visual representation.
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Mel Bochner, a master of conceptual art, has consistently blended the world of language with visual representation. However, in On Certainty, there emerges a magnified interrogation into the reliability of perception. Here, Bochner walks viewers through philosophical thought, tracing the steps of Ludwig Wittgenstein, a luminary philosopher of the 20th century. The series owes its roots to Wittgenstein's Wittgenstein Illustrations, featuring minimalist drawings of Arabic numerals intricately placed over grids.
To an unsuspecting eye, works like Range may seem like just a pattern of numbers. While the piece doesn't embrace the nature of a traditional optical illusion, Bochner’s deliberate use of colour, red and black, provides movement to a work that would otherwise remain linear. The interplay between the black and red creates a zigzag pattern that seems to levitate above the numbers, imbuing the piece with a mesmerising quality.
If we further examine the works in this collection, we encounter compositions of profound thought. Bochner’s work unravels Wittgenstein's teachings, questioning the 'givens' and urging one to consider the fundamentals of existence. Just as Wittgenstein examined the boundaries of language and its implications for understanding the world, Bochner's prints push the viewer to confront and re-evaluate their inherited perceptions.
Untitled presents two distinct columns of numbers: on the left, numbers are displayed in black, while the right features their red, mirrored counterparts. This mirrored design underscores Bochner's intent to offer the viewer an alternate viewpoint, highlighting two elements that, while seemingly identical, are inversely reflective. This design prompts reflection on duality and the subtle distinction between identical and opposite. Bochner's use of contrasting colours accentuates this balance and tension. His visual choices not only challenge viewers but also encourage them to see the complexity within the straightforward.
While his other works often dance with vivacious colours and textual play, On Certainty is notably restrained, with an almost meditative quality. This is Bochner turning inward, reflecting more deeply, and inviting the viewer into this internal space. The simplicity of the grids, paired with the flow of numbers, lends itself to a contrasting visual. It's an ode to the delicate balance between structure and chaos, certainty and doubt.
Historically, this collection situated itself in a period of seismic shifts — the late 20th century marked by socio-political upheavals and existential reckonings. Bochner’s series becomes a mirror, reflecting society's broader quest for meaning and understanding. The minimalist aesthetic, though profoundly tied to its era, speaks a timeless language, one that resonates even today.