It may look like something on a junior high schooler’s bedroom wall, but Language is Not Transparent is actually a scathing critique of the danger of words as a medium.

Remember the saying, “sticks and stone may break my bones, but words can never hurt me”? Well in this piece, Bochner alludes to the fact that even words that don’t seem like they would hurt you can still mislead, confuse and yes, even hurt you. For some, this may be a little unsettling, and for others, it could set off a downward spiral of over-thinking and paranoia. Therapists everywhere have Bochner to thank for their ever-increasing client lists.

Mel explains it himself: “Written on a blackboard painted on the wall, in a crude hand, the text is a critique of the new paradigm that considered language as providing direct access to the artist’s thoughts, unmindful of language’s pitfall, its deceptions and delusions, its hidden agendas, its covert political subtexts.” Basically this piece is a not-so-delicate reminder that, though an artwork can use words, those words aren’t necessarily accurate, as words can be, well, pretty subjective.

Bochner also had a whole spiel about how “the medium was never transparent, never something to be seen through, never a neutral delivery system,” as we can evidently see in this work. This piece is made out of chalkboard paint and chalk applied directly on the museum wall. It has the same vibe as a message written in blood on the wall in basically every horror movie ever. In this piece, Bochner asserts that “all abuses of power begin with the abuse of language” so he’s actually the good guy in the horror film of life because he is the one warning us about the perils of language. Unfortunately, the artist doesn’t think he will ever be able to communicate this message accurately enough and the “drips at the bottom are meant to represent the never-to-be-completed work of this critique.” So misinterpret on, museum-goers!