Drawing for "48" Standards" 1969 - 1972

Editor: This is "Drawing for '48' Standards'" by Mel Bochner. It looks like a sketch on paper. What symbols or ideas stand out to you in this work? Curator: The wood grain holds a powerful presence. Think about the symbolic weight of wood throughout history - shelter, sustenance, craft. The artist uses precise measurements to undermine the natural qualities. How do you respond to this contrast? Editor: I see. It's like the artist is questioning the link between nature and industry. Curator: Precisely. And the numbers become symbols themselves. What do those measurements evoke for you? The dimensions imply standardization, a loss of individuality, a cultural desire for order. Food for thought. Editor: It's a reminder that numbers and symbols are embedded in the world around us. Thank you.