The artwork titled “Panel 11. Machine Totems – The Epic of American Civilization,” created by Jose Clemente Orozco between 1932 and 1934, is part of the Dartmouth College Cycle, specifically within the series “The Epic of American Civilization.” This piece is representative of the Muralism art movement and falls within the genres of history painting and symbolic painting.
In this vertical composition, the viewer’s attention is captured by a tall, cylindrical form in the center, evocative of an industrial chimney or stele, rendered in earthy red and brown hues. Superimposed upon this form are an assemblage of intricate mechanical parts and industrial elements, meticulously arranged to evoke a totemic structure. The juxtaposition of machinery against the organic form creates a striking contrast, symbolizing the complex interplay between industrialization and human civilization. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the geometrical rigor of the depicted machinery parts, suggests both the grandeur and the dehumanizing aspects of technological advancement. The artwork stands as a powerful testament to Orozco’s critique of modernity and its impact on society.
