The artwork entitled “Call to Revolution and Table of Universal Brotherhood (Science, Labor and Art)” is a significant piece created by José Clemente Orozco between 1930 and 1931. It is part of the mural cycle at The New School and exemplifies the Muralism art movement, a trend in which Mexican artists articulated social and political messages on public buildings to educate and unite the people. This particular work is noted for its symbolic and historical painting genre, which communicates powerful themes related to societal constructs such as science, labor, and art.
Upon observation of the artwork, one is immediately drawn to the striking use of color, shape, and composition that underscores the thematic content. The mural is partitioned into vignettes, each symbolizing crucial components of society. On the left, an individual appears to hold up a simple triangular object, seemingly to symbolize a sense of education or enlightenment, with his face conveying a sense of contemplation or concern. The central figure is a laborer, possibly a blacksmith, forcefully wielding a hammer over an anvil, a representation of work and physical labor. The dynamism conveyed through his movement echoes the beating heart of industry and manual toil. To the right, a figure emanates an aura of creativity, with his gaze directed towards a colorful spectrum that may signify the expansive and transformative power of art.
The interplay of abstract and figurative elements creates a complex narrative. Shadows and angular forms establish a sense of depth and tension while the characters etch a distinctive human presence through their expressive gestures and facial expressions. The entire composition is tied together through its symbolic representations of human endeavor, capturing a microcosm of societal roles and suggesting an interconnectedness – a universal brotherhood – facilitated by the revolutionary ideals and the collective pursuit of progress across various sectors of human activity.
In conclusion, Orozco’s work is more than a painting; it is a rallying cry for unity and a reflection on the societal pillars that support human civilization, comprising varied facets of human experience. The grand scale and profound message of the artwork render it not only a visual masterpiece but also an ideological statement that resonates with the ethos of revolution and universal community.
