ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Mel Bochner's Writings Published in France for First Time

publication · 2026-04-23

Mel Bochner, an artist virtually unknown in France, has his writings from 1965-1973 published by Éditions du mamco in a volume titled 'Spéculations, écrits (1965-1973)'. Edited by V. Mavridorakis and C. Chérix, the book offers three entry points: a visual reproduction of Bochner's articles in their original illustrated form, handwritten notes, and artworks with commentary; a theoretical focus on the preposition 'between', positioning Bochner between phenomenological minimalism and logical conceptualism; and a literary exploration of non-coincidence between language and things. The publication challenges the established historical narrative of post-Greenberg American art debates. Catherine Perret's review highlights Bochner's search for a concrete non-coincidence in the non-place between language's factitious transparency and things' illusory opacity, with critiques drawn from Flaubert and Borges.

Key facts

  • Mel Bochner is virtually unknown in France.
  • The book 'Spéculations, écrits (1965-1973)' covers his writings from 1965 to 1973.
  • Published by Éditions du mamco.
  • Edited by V. Mavridorakis and C. Chérix.
  • The volume includes original illustrated articles, handwritten notes, and artworks with commentary.
  • Bochner positions himself between minimalism and conceptual art.
  • The publication challenges the historical narrative of post-Greenberg American art.
  • Catherine Perret wrote the review for artpress.

Entities

Artists

  • Mel Bochner

Institutions

  • Éditions du mamco
  • artpress

Locations

  • France

Sources