In the hit Apple TV+ show “Severance,” the mysterious Lumon corporation uses a blend of art and design to reinforce its power over employees. The show’s prop master, Catherine Miller, emphasizes that every artistic choice is deliberate in shaping Lumon’s visual landscape. One notable painting from Season 2 is “Kier Pardons His Betrayers.” This dramatic scene shows Lumon founder Kier Eagan showing mercy to four figures, serving as a metaphor for the four main characters following their actions at the end of Season 1.
The painting, created by artist Danny Aviles, was inspired by Soviet-era propaganda art. Another key artwork is Ms. Huang’s water toy, which she destroys in a ritualistic departure scene using a bust of Jame Eagan.
Lumon’s artistic manipulation unveiled
The team created the cell phone-sized water toy from scratch, embedding a hand-painted Kier swimmer inside. The walnut bust of Jame Eagan is a symbol-laden updated version of a previous award.
After a character named Milchick takes over the Severed floor, his workspace features an iceberg painting that symbolizes hidden depths. The painting, printed on metal and depicting a Newfoundland iceberg, fits perfectly into the new blue-themed office setting. At the start of Season 2, the break room sports new motivational posters, including one that reads “Hang in There” portraying a character named Dylan.
These posters, designed with Soviet-era inspiration, reflect Lumon’s attempts to motivate and reshape its image to the “innies.”
Set decorator David Schlesinger, who joined “Severance” for Season 2, adds that artworks evolve through discussions with creator Dan Erickson and executive producer/director Ben Stiller. Each artistic element in “Severance” is meticulously crafted to heighten the show’s thematic resonance and deepen our understanding of Lumon’s enigmatic world.
Photo by; Jens Kreuter on Unsplash
