The two artworks that struck out to me were “The City Rises” by Umberto Boccioni and “Collective Suicide” by David Alfaro Siqueiros because of the stark contrast in what each artwork is trying to communicate. Both artworks were created in the early 1900’s and deal with the topic of civilizations, but one is about creation and the other is destruction of civilizations. Boccioni’s artwork was specifically dated in 1910, during the time of increasing technological advances in Italy in which they were constructing a power plant in the outskirts of Milan. The title of Boccioni’s artwork along with the use of brush-like strokes and bright colors instills a feeling of business and liveliness. There’s lots of characters in the painting who appear to be workers, with tools in their hands, constructing a new city that’s visible in the background filled with houses and factory smokestacks. There’s a theme of unity of everyone in the civilization was not only working hard, but working together for the betterment and advancement of their society. This painting has the intention of wanting to inform the people of Italy of the efforts put in by the workers for a civilization towards technology and industrialization, and away from arts and culture. This is ironic considering how Italy is well-known for the Italian Renaissance and not their industrialization. The audience of this piece could be those of the wealthy upper class who don’t witness the manual labor that the lower class Italian people put in. This painting is meant to show them what they don’t see behind the rising development of their city. 

Siqueiros’ artwork was dated in 1936 and it looked back at the Spanish conquest of Mexico hundreds of years before, that set the foundation for colonization in the Americas. Siqueiros being Mexican himself, must feel a strong connection to the colonization of modern day Mexico as it heavily affected his ancestors. The dark colors make the painting feel depressing and lifeless. Siqueiros’ use of dark colors around the painting with a bright colors, creating halo effect around the center, draws audiences’ attention towards the large piece of rock. That is when the ring of fire is discovered and looking closer, there’s small depictions of warriors and other people committing suicide either by jumping off the cliff or killed themselves with weapons. The fire depicted in the painting seems to be actually burning the painting, symbolizing how Spanish conquest was destroying the Aztec’s culture and civilization. This painting was painted to inform people of the effect of the Spanish Conquest on the native people of Aztec, and how the natives would have rather committed suicide than allow themselves to become slaves of the Spanish. This empowered the Aztecs who believed their freedom was more important than a life not worth living. 

Both “The City Rises” and “Collective Suicide” use people as central figures to explore the dynamics of civilizations, whether in the context of growth and progress or suffering and decline. People are the most vital part of any functioning civilization, acting as the backbone. Without them, a civilization collapses. This is evident in the disappearance of the Aztecs after the Spanish Conquest displayed in Squeiros’ artwork. The painting’s portrayal of suffering and despair exemplifies the idea that individuals, collectively or individually, have a significant impact on the well-being and stability of a civilization. This is also apparent in Boccioni’s artwork as the city wouldn’t have advanced to the extent of being able to build factories and run it without the people that wielded their tools and put in the labor. This influences the common people to realize their importance in a society that depends on them to continue, placing value in the work they do. Both artworks challenge viewers to reconsider their perspectives on historical events and societal roles. “Collective Suicide” invites viewers to confront the horrors of colonization and the lengths to which people will go to resist oppression. “The City Rises” prompts viewers to reflect on the significance of the common laborer in the development of a modern city and its infrastructure.