Colophon for "Small Mnemonic Devices" 1971

William Dole made "Colophon for Small Mnemonic Devices" in 1971, it's a lithograph which feels like a delicate dance of information and texture. Dole's approach here feels additive, like a collage, building up layers of meaning and form. The black ink is used sparingly, creating a contrast with the stark white paper that emphasizes the materiality of the print. You can almost feel the pressure of the printing press. Look closely at the top left corner where you can see blocks of fragmented images and text almost dissolving into the white background. This evokes a sense of memory and loss. It’s like trying to grasp onto something that’s fading away, a mnemonic device that’s not quite working. Dole's work shares something with the assemblages of Robert Rauschenberg, that idea of pulling together disparate elements to create a new kind of visual language. Both artists invite us to find connections where they may not be obvious, reminding us that art is an ongoing conversation.