In the life of a society, culture plays an important role by reflecting essential values, events, or philosophical ideas that a given community experiences. Likewise, cultural artifacts influence how people see the reality around them, individually and collectively. In such a manner, individuals and cultures coexist in a social and historical context by reflecting on one another. Importantly, one might observe that cultural artifacts represented by distinctive media might have multiple commonalities that, although in a different manner, transpire the same ideas about human life. For example, paintings and poems might be examined in parallel as the visual and poetic representation of philosophical and social aspects of existence. This research paper is designed to investigate how such cultural artifacts as The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone by Thomas Moran and “Art of Drowning” by Billy Collins correlate with the theme of the opposition between the life cycle and eternity.
Cultural Artifacts
The first artifact selected for the analysis is an oil on canvas painting created by an American painter, Thomas Moran, between 1893 and 1901 and entitled The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (see Figure 1). This painting is one of his most renowned and famous works among the many rocky landscapes he created during his career as an artist (National Parks Service, n.d.). Being influenced by the works and style of J. W. Turner, Thomas Moran vividly depicted natural images in the manner of European artists (National Parks Service, n.d.). Before creating The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the artist worked as an illustrator for a natural and scientific magazine. In 1871, he was invited to join the Hayden Geological Survey, during which the conservation of Yellowstone was explored, and Thoman Moran captured its beauty in his painting (National Parks Service, n.d.). Importantly, the newly explored mineral pools of Yellowstone symbolized new life opportunities in the background of nature’s powerful processes that significantly outweigh the possibilities of humanity. The piece is located at the US Department of the Interior.
The second artifact chosen for the analysis is a poem titled “Art of Drowning,” created by Billy Collins in 1995. The poem is a part of a collection of poems under the same title, devoted to contemplating the meaning of life in its multiple manifestations. Created in the 1990s, the poem reflects the author’s style and the poetic trends of free verse, simplistic delivery, and vivid images (Collins, 1995). In this piece, the author discusses the fleeting nature of life and its fragility. When a person realizes the closing end of their life, all its events are in one picture. At the same time, the person notices that all the other people continue with business as usual. On any given day, they have some reason to hurry and have something that must be done. They tend to lose sight of the man whose life is about to end, making applicable the saying out of sight, out of mind.
Common Theme
The two artifacts share the same core theme despite representing two different media and being created at different times. Indeed, a common theme that unites both artifacts is the human life cycle against eternity. When one evaluates and compares these artifacts, one can see that human life contrasts with some more enduring situations. In the case of the painting, The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone by Thomas Moran, human life and nature are opposed. Looking at the image, one can see how long it takes a Canyon to form. Human life is short compared to the seasons; it takes rocks, mountains, and water to create this beautiful formation. Specific details in the painting emphasize the relative significance of human life compared to the canyon’s grandiosity. Indeed, the two human figures in the lower part of the picture contrast with the large size of the canyon (National Parks Service, n.d). In addition, the bright light of the canyon is opposed to the dark framing images, the part of which are humans, which implies the central role of nature’s eternity.
Similarly, the theme of the opposition between eternity and human life vividly unfolds in the poem “Art of Drowning” by Billy Collins; eternity represents the life cycle of society as a whole. As one reads the poem, one can get the overall sense of one person’s life in a few decades compared to different generations and against humanity. According to the poet’s words, time is put “into such compression, crushing decades in the vice of your desperate, final seconds,” which demonstrates that the existence of humanity with its seeming complexities passes fast. Eternity, on the other hand, has a far-reaching power (Collins, 1995, p. 42). Indeed, when one drowns, “the tide will take you” under the surface, “now overrun with the high travel of clouds” (Collins, 1995, p. 42). This theme can be inspiring as well as thought-provoking. The theme of eternity and human life creates a cause and effect, primarily helping people realize what events in life are significant, such as the meaning of life and what they can do to make it beautiful.
Personal Experience
Upon contemplating the in-depth meaning of both of the analyzed artifacts, one can appreciate to a greater degree how humanity, nature, and eternity all tie together. Therefore, both the painting and poem give a greater understanding of the symbolism they both entail. While observing worldwide events, it can be concluded that human activity occurred before the beginning of one’s life and will still be there after the person is deceased. The implication that can be taken is that one is just a guest in the world and should put effort into fulfilling pivotal ventures. The same is true of the painting The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. However, it is prevalent to realize the emphasis that nature is here for eternity. As a person, one can find themselves in an attractive natural setting like the ocean, National Park, or mountains. They may wonder how these conditions came into being and how long it took them to get to where they are in their current state. It can ultimately be concluded that all our surroundings will exist many years after we no longer cease to exist.
More specifically, by contemplating nature and comparing one’s daily experiences with the eternal issues portrayed in the two artifacts, one might re-evaluate the significance of minor worries, arguments, or problems that might seem decisive. The research of the poem and the painting demonstrate that when thinking in a larger scope, one might devote their existence to higher goals rather than waste their precious time on this planet without purpose. In my career as an HR manager, this theme unfolds in my interaction with people, where I encourage serving one’s purpose without fear or hesitation. In addition, the investigated common theme inherently relates to the religious experiences of an individual and a society at large, where the eternal power of God is undeniable in the light of His creations.
Profession
The specific theme of eternity and human life can influence many different professions. This practicality can be particularly prominent in the career of philosophers. This issue is widely discussed even when comparing several other various artifacts. In philosophy and literature, practical humanities knowledge can provide material relevant to eternity and the life cycle of human life. Discussing the historical context of both works of art is necessary to define, once again, the years in which they were created. While The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was painted between 1893 and 1901 (National Parks Service, n.d.), it is noteworthy that it was a time when there was no color photography.
Consequently, visual art was the only way to show the general public the beauty of nature. “Art of Drowning” was published in 1995 (Collins, 1995). Searching for information about the time in which the painting and poem were created was relatively abundant. One might ask themselves what was not there during the creation of these two artifacts and what is currently present. Since both artifacts were created relatively recently, it was not difficult finding information from the time of creation to the here and now. The theme of eternity and human life also significantly impacts human resource management. The contrast between an individual’s mortality and the eternal nature of the earth prompts deep introspection. Human resource managers must learn to address their employees’ needs, such as the desire for job satisfaction. These humanities are vital since they prepare people for the most critical elements of work in their prime time.
A comprehensive grasp of the human condition allows new entrants into the job market to understand and work effectively with colleagues. Having the skill set to work effectively helps each individual understand the necessity of multiple perspectives and participate as a cohesive team. More specifically, when applied to human resources, humanities allow for expanding the scope of interpersonal interactions and empowering employees to express their potential and embody their talent in their innovative and creative solutions. Under the influence of the eternity vs. human life topic, one might better understand that it is essential to cherish the little time given to people on earth and use it with purpose and meaning. Moreover, such a worldview informed by the cultural artifacts analyzed in this paper complies with the global trends of prioritizing talent and uniqueness in the workplace.
Humanities Resources
Choosing appropriate sources started with the determination of artistically and philosophically appealing elements. After deciding that humanity’s connection to nature and the importance of human life was a key focus, the next step would be to identify suitable cultural artifacts. The overwhelming variety of art was a significant challenge. To narrow the choices of artifacts, it was necessary to seek resources focused on the association between nature and human life to refine the search. To understand the hidden meanings of artwork, considering history, technics, and the author’s biography was extraordinarily beneficial. The National Parks Service provided an article that explains the history behind Thomas Moran and his famous painting The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (National Parks Service, n.d.). The report highlights the certainty of eternity and the beauty in the rocks and valleys that humanity often takes for granted. Since the source provides an overview of the history of the painting’s creation and its meaning to the art, it is a valuable source of credible information.
“Art of Drowning” by Billy Collins emphasizes the fragility of an individual’s life and the never-ending cycle of time. The book titled The Art of Drowning, which contains the poem “Art of Drowning, “ helped make Billy Collins widely known. Since it is a primary source, the book provides invaluable information obtained first-hand from the author, allowing for interpretation within the historical and cultural context. It highlights the need to define a purpose and treasure every moment through the journey we call the circle of life.
Art, Morality and Human Nature by Richard Beardsmore was written in 2017. The setting was a society that demonstrated a renewed interest in the contributions art had made to the evolution of human thought (Haldane & Lloyd, 2017). There was a deep fascination with humanity’s place and role on earth. Art, Morality, and Human Nature was written when the prevalence of a renewed philosophical interest in the link between art and human nature (Haldane & Lloyd, 2017). Art, Morality, and Human Nature explains the relationship between artistic expression, as depicted in the painting, and human nature, as demonstrated in the poem. The Grand Canyon: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture was used to strengthen the understanding of the historical context of Thomas Moran’s painting. Despite being partially representative of the humanities, it is a valuable source of information. Overall, the search for sources was rather time-consuming but insightful.
Historical Context
The historical context of artifacts’ creation plays an important role in their interpretation. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was created when the U.S. Geological Survey invited the artist Thomas Moran to the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871 (National Parks Service, n.d.). The artifact was created when the conservation of Yellowstone and the drive for environmental protection were prioritized. The painting was created at the time of the exploration of Yellowstone, which signified an important point in the geological and cultural life of the United States of America (National Parks Service, n.d.). Therefore, the reflection of the physical object and its implications for history makes this painting valuable.
“Art of Drowning” by Billy Collins was written in 1995. The setting was a contemporary society where the idea that prevailing conditions had nothing to do with “life or death” was dominant (Collins, 1995, p. 42). Collins stresses that at the end of life, one must let down the result and look back (Collins, 1995). When a person realizes the near end of his life, all its events are in one picture. At the same time, the person notices that all the other people continue to do their business; they often seem to have somewhere that causes them to hurry and something urgently to do. They do not care about a man whose life is about to end. In the poem, the author uses the symbol of a passing fish to portray this indifferent society.
Another symbol that Collins uses in his poetry is the sinking. The author associates a man’s near-death state with the fact that he begins to drown. Collins (1995) describes this situation as “having nothing to do with your life or your death.” (p. 42). The author stresses the helplessness of the person in this position. The circumstances when “Art of Drowning” was written included society’s deep contemplation of humanity’s purpose and the realization that life is fleeting. The explication of the importance of cultural artifacts in society revolutionized contemporary views of behavior.
Similarities and Differences
When discussing the similarities and differences between The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and “Art of Drowning,” one should notice that each describes the circle of life and eternity differently. The painting evokes reflections on eternity and human life through the aesthetics of nature and sublime feelings. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone differs from the “Art of Drowning” in that while the former celebrates nature and life, the latter focuses on the fragility of human existence. In comparison, the poem evokes reflections on this theme through depressive and panic thoughts. In the visual arts to which the painting belongs, the image of nature takes a special place. Nature is the natural environment; man can experience meaningful feelings by observing it. It affects the difficulty of writing a natural landscape and the technique of performing. In the poem, the author addresses the reader and asks questions. These questions make the reader think about what the author writes. In this way, there is communication between the author and the reader.
In The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the theme of eternity and human life is expressed uniquely. The time it took the canyon to form contrasts with the fragility of human life when conservation was prioritized. The time it took differs from the approach taken in “Art of Drowning,” where the feebleness of human life is allegorized against a never-changing world focused on worldliness. The differences mentioned above notwithstanding, both cultural artifacts use artistry to convey the dominant themes at the time of their creation. The color and contrast in The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone were delightful. “Art of Drowning” took a more morbid approach with which the human condition was approached somewhat surprisingly. Overall, the idea of humanity’s place in the world, evident in both cultural artifacts, was fundamental.
On the other hand, the similarities in using symbols unify both artifacts in their delivery of the theme of eternity and human life. In particular, Collins (1995) refers to such words as “flashes,” “film,” “slide,” “rushes,” and others to emphasize how insignificant and episodic human life is in comparison to eternity (p. 42). Likewise, Moran’s painting opposes the large size and brightness of the Grand Canyon to the insignificance of dark human figures (National Parks Service, n.d.). Thus, both artifacts use similar techniques and symbols to unfold the theme of human life’s fragility compared to nature and eternity.
Medium
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is an oil on canvas painting that features rocky landscapes and can be identified as an American landscape. Applying the rule of thirds to the painting, it is possible to determine that the author places the brightest part, the rocks, illuminated by the sun, in the upper right corner to draw the audience’s attention (Moore & Witt, 2018). It is important to note that Thomas Moran applies a golden ratio, due to which the picture invites the viewer inside itself (National Parks Service, n. d.). If one pays attention to the lower left corner of the picture, one can see how the light rays partially illuminate the tree trunk and break through the foliage. Other painting parts, such as slopes, small rocks, and vegetation, are illustrated differently. One can imagine how the illumination of the objects in the picture will vary depending on the time of day and the sun’s position. It is interesting how richly the author depicts the illuminated part of the rocks in the bottom right corner (Moore & Witt, 2018). Red, bard, orange, and yellow colors highlight the beauty of nature as a subject of the painting.
There is a distinctive use of color to illuminate specific aspects of the landscape, thus drawing the viewer’s attention to the beautiful rock formations that characterize the landscape. The lines help viewers to break through the foliage and experience the sensation of motion. The vivid colors in The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone highlight the beauty of nature and the need for conservation. The second example is the use of distinctive brush strokes to emphasize the importance of preserving the environment. “Art of Drowning” is a poem that employs stylistic devices such as symbolism to convey the gravity of humanity’s fragility. The use of symbolism in “Art of Drowning” highlights the importance of treasuring time on earth. The second example is the urgency of tone in the poem, which emphasizes the fragility of human life. Collins stresses that at the end of life, one must let down the result and look back (Collins, 1995). In the poem, the author uses the symbol of a passing fish to portray this indifferent society. Another symbol that Collins uses in his poetry is the sinking. The author associates a man’s near-death state with the fact that he begins to drown.
Thesis Statement
In Thomas Moran’s painting, The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Billy Collins’ poem “Art of Drowning,” the theme of human life’s relative insignificance and fragility is opposed to the eternal power of nature and life in its philosophical meaning.
Audience
An ideal audience is a group of aspirational company employees interested in the human life cycle verse eternity choosing people from 40 to 70 years old. Usually, people in this age group analyze their lives and make conclusions (Haldane & Lloyd, 2017). When communicating with the audience, it will primarily demonstrate the art pieces. Demonstrating a copy of the picture and reading the poem can immediately interest the audience if one presents the thesis statement and specifies the topic. Believing that Collins portrays the theme of the end of human life because it bothers him (Collins, 1995). On the other hand, Thomas Moran paints the natural landscape thanks to his inspiration and desire to enjoy nature from start to end. When delivering the message of the research to the target audience, one might emphasize the thesis statement by claiming that it is essential to acknowledge the fragility of human time on earth to maximize one’s effort to make a difference.
Message
Aspirational company employees would benefit immensely from understanding the link between human life and eternity. The theme will help them put their lives into perspective and facilitate the identification of core values and principles, which are essential for setting life goals. The company employees will be able to set achievable goals that will direct their quest for meaning. It will be critical to ensure that the presentation explains the philosophical underpinnings behind each cultural artifact. Each of the core messages will be highlighted and described in the context of contemporary work environments. For example, the association between beauty and conservation in The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone by Thomas Moran will be highlighted to demonstrate the value of preserving the environment.
In addition, the symbolism of a passing fish in “Art of Drowning” by Billy Collins will be explained to highlight society’s indifference. The symbolism mentioned above will also be used to highlight humanity’s fragility. The edits discussed will need to be made to contextualize the issues addressed by the cultural artifacts. Conservation is relevant in contemporary society, which makes it essential for company employees to understand their place in ensuring that future generations have a planet to inherit. Life is short and fleeting and should not discourage society from making meaningful contributions to improve their lives, communities, and future generations. To effectively communicate the theme to the audience, the context of their work and personal experiences will be prioritized to personalize the discussion and encourage them to relate to the topic.
References
Collins, B. (1995). The art of drowning. University of Pittsburgh Press.
Haldane, J., & Lloyd, I. (2017). Art, morality and human nature: Writings by Richard W. Beardsmore. Andrews UK Limited.
Moore, R., & Witt, K. F. (2018). The Grand Canyon: An encyclopedia of geography, history, and culture. ABC-CLIO.
National Parks Service. (n.d.). Thomas Moran: Artistic master of the conservation movement.