Machine No. 2 Boulder Dam 

Theo Ballou White's "Machine No. 2 Boulder Dam" presents a stark vision of modern industry. The imposing machine, with its cylindrical forms and rigid geometry, dwarfs the lone worker, setting the tone for a reflection on man's relationship with the industrial age. The worker's form brings to mind the classical ideal of the heroic male nude, yet it is juxtaposed with the cold, impersonal machinery. This contrast echoes in ancient myths, where gods were challenged by the creations of mortals, and a potent reminder of the eternal tension between human ingenuity and its consequences. The horizontal lines, repeated in the worker's bench and the dam's structure, create a sense of order, yet the diagonal lines in the upper left add an element of dynamism, suggesting the latent power contained within this industrial landscape. It's a stark reminder that while humanity strives to bring order into nature, a deeper, more primal chaos always lurks beneath the surface. This cyclical progression is how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.