Old 2012

Curator: Mel Bochner’s "Old," from 2012, is an acrylic and textile work bursting with shades of green. At first glance, it’s kind of a funny barrage of insults, all about being past your prime. What strikes you about this piece? Editor: Well, the words themselves are harsh, almost comical in their intensity. But the way they're painted, dripping and overlapping, gives it a messy, almost anxious energy. I’m wondering, beyond the literal meaning of the words, what is Bochner really trying to express? Curator: Perhaps it’s less about literal meaning and more about feeling. Think about the texture, the dripping paint – does that evoke decay? Does the monochrome green remind you of moss, growing on something forgotten? Editor: Definitely. I can see that. The words become less about individual insults and more about a collective feeling of… decline? Curator: Exactly. And that's where the power lies. It's a very visceral exploration of aging and obsolescence, turning language itself into a decaying artifact. Think about our own fleeting cultural moments – trends that come and go. What do they say about us when they become… old? Editor: So, it's not just about personal aging but about cultural shifts and anxieties? It makes me think about how quickly things are discarded these days, which is kind of sad. Curator: Precisely. Bochner captures that bittersweet, sometimes hilarious, truth. What do you think you'll take away from seeing this work again? Editor: I’ll definitely look beyond just the words and think more about the texture and feeling. Curator: Me too! "Old" feels less like a description and more like a question: What will we become when we're "old"?