Pipe Mill c. 1935 - 1943

Bessie Rigrodsky's print captures the monolithic presence of the industrial age. Notice the prominent smokestack, a symbol that has evolved from ancient hearths to modern factories. Here, it evokes not warmth, but industry. Smoke billows, reminiscent of sacrificial smoke. The smoke recurs in works from different times and places, whether in religious rituals or industrial landscapes, this gesture towards the heavens carries the weight of human endeavor and aspiration. This act has been repeated and replicated in various forms throughout history, underscoring humanity's desire to reach beyond the physical realm. The stark contrast between light and shadow conveys a psychological unease, reflecting the collective anxieties of a society grappling with rapid industrialization. In Rigrodsky's work, the smokestack becomes a powerful symbol, resonating with both the awe and the alienation that define our modern existence.