Koppers Coke 1932

Victoria Hutson Huntley rendered this lithograph, titled "Koppers Coke," capturing the stark industrial landscape. The towering smokestacks rise like modern obelisks, symbols of progress and power, yet shrouded in a veil of smoke. The industrial chimney, a modern iteration of the classical column, has been refigured as an emblem of industry. Its form recalls the Tower of Babel, a symbol of man's ambition and the potential for hubris. We see the aspiration and the danger inherent in technological advancement. The dark, brooding atmosphere evokes a sense of unease, a feeling that progress comes at a cost. Throughout history, the image of smoke has signified both destruction and transformation, from the burning of cities to the alchemical process of refinement. The billowing smoke in this print conveys a sense of constant change, as well as the potential consequences of unchecked industrial growth. This image engages our collective memory, stirring deep-seated anxieties about the impact of human actions on the environment.