Dupont (Capitalist Snake) 1974

Alexander Zhitomirsky made this black and white photomontage, *Dupont (Capitalist Snake)*, at some point during his life, although we are not certain exactly when. It’s a clash of images, a snake’s head atop a suited figure, underscored by the looming Dupont factory sign behind. The process here is all about assembly, layering, and contrast. The textures play off each other: the sleek, reptilian scales against the woven fabric of the suit. Look at the snake’s eye, so cold and calculating, and the way the artist has placed it in relation to the dark geometry of the factory in the background. It’s a pretty graphic arrangement that is both funny and slightly disturbing. This picture reminds me of John Heartfield's photomontages in its use of surreal juxtaposition as a tool for social critique. Like Heartfield, Zhitomirsky embraces ambiguity, inviting us to question the relationships between power, industry, and nature. It’s art that bites!