Panel 21. Modern Industrial Man 1 - The Epic of American Civilization 1934

Editor: Here we have José Clemente Orozco’s, *Panel 21. Modern Industrial Man 1 - The Epic of American Civilization* created in 1934. The subdued blues and grays give it a somber, almost oppressive mood. What do you see in this piece, in terms of its social context? Curator: This mural is heavy with commentary. Orozco painted it during the Depression, and the figures represent industrial workers. Consider the stark, almost dehumanized portrayal – anonymous faces, draped forms. He seems to be questioning the cost of industrial progress on the individual. The pickaxes loom large, suggesting both the tools and perhaps the burden of their labor. How does the work reflect socio-political sentiment in that period? Editor: It feels like a criticism of unchecked industrialism. They look burdened. The one on top reminds me of a taskmaster! Curator: Exactly. Look at where the work was placed within the Baker Library at Dartmouth College – a place of learning, but also a place that would perpetuate power structures. It certainly encouraged contemplation on America's industrial trajectory. Does Orozco critique progress or celebrate labor? I think he presents both. The Epic aspect tells me Orozco sees their sacrifices with importance in American development. Editor: That tension is powerful, because in that era the Library must have held great power and cultural import. I’ve never considered how even architectural commissions can take on such a political voice. Curator: Art becomes more than what it seems when you view them historically. Hopefully, this discussion provides a nuanced perspective into how the world impacts art. Editor: I agree. Thinking about how location affects meaning changes everything.