Elise Darr

J. Pressman

ECL 305

May 9, 2024

“The Universal Language of Art and its Impact on the Natural World”

Our world is filled with a variety of human experiences, each contributing uniquely to our global community. However, this diversity can sometimes lead to conflict as different languages and cultures begin to shape varying ideologies and beliefs. That said, art has the sensational ability to overcome these barriers— serving as a universal language that connects communities across the world. As the state of the natural world worsens due to climate change, the urgency of addressing environmental degradation becomes more apparent. Scholars such as Robert Emmett and David Nye note that art, and the humanities overall, offer a deeper understanding of humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Through an innovative collaboration with sciences and the humanities, these approaches challenge the anthropocentric worldview that often underscores Western society’s environmental perspectives. Historian William Cronon notes that the West has constructed its modern view of the environment. However, photography challenges these perspectives, emphasizing the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to combatting climate change. Photography, in particular, is a powerful tool to show human’s relationship with nature. In his photography series, “Inherit the Dust,” Nick Brandt juxtaposes images of African wildlife against scenes of man-made environmental degradation to highlight the impact of human activity on Africa’s natural environment. Brandt’s black-and-white photos contribute to a broader understanding of environmental issues that challenge the Western-centric narrative. These images illustrate how art fosters a connection between humans and the environment, presenting diverse perspectives of nature that cultivate the empathy necessary to comprehend and revere the natural world.

Photography’s recent recognition as an important aspect of addressing climate is indicative of a broader trend identified by scholars Robert Emmett and David Nye. Academics Emmett and Nye explain in their paper “The Emergence of the Environmental Humanities” that art and literature have entered scientific discussions of environmental issues. The “environmental humanities” emerged as an “interdisciplinary endeavor” (Emmett Nye 1) that aims to create a “creative cooperative between the humanities and the science” that promotes innovative perspectives on the environmental crisis (Emmett Nye 7). In other words, the environmental humanities have the transformative potential to shift perspectives of humanity’s relationship with the natural world, allowing modern society to recognize that human beings are not “firmly at the center” of this planet (Emmett Nye 11). Emmett and Nye’s observations highlight the capacity of the humanities to facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the natural world. Art and literature challenge the anthropocentric worldview, giving the humanities’ “creative cooperation” with science the revolutionary potential to combat climate change through broadening humans’ collective understanding and fostering empathy towards the natural world. 

Creating a relationship between humans and the environment built on empathy challenges the anthropocentric worldview that has influenced Western society’s environmental stance. Western perspectives have created an understanding of the natural that often leads to a neglect of environmental crises beyond their Westerners’ immediate purview. This tendency is particularly evident in the United States, where efforts to address climate change often prioritize self-preservation over global ecological stewardship. In “The Trouble with Wilderness,” environmental historian William Cronon explains that the romanticism movement and “leisure-time frontier fantasies” have created a “wilderness in [Americans’] own image” (Cronon 15). This image establishes the “wild country” as a place “of national renewal,” making it the ‘best’ location “for experiencing what it mean[s] to be an American” (Cronon 13). Additionally, as the “myth of a vanishing frontier” began to emerge in the 1890s, along did the idea of environmental preservation, as Americans wanted to “save [their] last remnants as monuments to American past” (Cronon 13). Cronon’s use of the terms “myth” and “national” highlights the constructed nature of America’s perception of the natural world— a viewpoint that revolves around the idea that humans, particularly Americans, are at the center of the environment. While environmental preservation is important, the only way for this to be effective is by recognizing that the wilderness was here long before humans had risen. Understanding the environment has its own intrinsic identity, independent of human narrative, leads to a preservation approach that prioritizes reverence and respect. 

As an American, navigating the ideologies shaped by the Western-centric narrative can be challenging. This is where the environmental humanities’ interdisciplinary approach to nature preservation proves invaluable. While America tends to focus on preserving its own landscape, this focus can lead to an oversight of the environmental crisis in other parts of the world. Art, particularly photography offers insight into these global perspectives. For example, Nick Brandt’s photography series, “Inherit the Dust,” shows the environmental crisis from East Africa’s standpoint. In this series, Brandt juxtaposes images of African wildlife with scenes of man-made environmental destruction. For example, the photo “Quarry with Lion” showcases a lion looking over the construction site of a quarry, reminiscent of the way a lion looks over its pride. Brandt’s decision to use photography as his medium to share his message is especially impactful as photography is a great means of documentation. Unlike other forms of art, photography has the capacity to provide visual evidence of environmental degradation in real-time. These photos immortalize moments of destruction, allowing viewers to witness the direct consequences of human activity on the natural world. “Inherit the Dust” is especially impactful to Western society, where representations of Africa are neglected in mainstream media. By showcasing communities from around the world, photography creates a sense of interconnectedness among humans. This relationship is necessary for understanding the environment as a unified entity and recognizing the collective responsibility humans have to respect it. 

As an art form, photography holds many unique elements that contribute to the impact of the photo. Coloring is among the most important aspects of creating a meaningful photo. One photography workshop notes that “careful use of color can provide a shortcut” in establishing a connection with viewers as “different colors evoke different emotions” (“Why is Color”). “Inherit the Dust” only contains photographs in black and white. While color photography allows for a vivid representation of reality, black and white images eliminate the distraction of color, encouraging viewers to focus on contrast within the scene. Without color, the juxtaposition of the wildlife and degradation becomes more apparent. The images carry a rawness that demands the viewer’s attention, stripping away aesthetics and emphasizing the direness of the environmental crisis. Moreover, the black and white quality imbues the photographs with a timeless quality, as early photography was only offered in this quality. This timelessness reinforces the notion that environmental degradation is not confined to a specific moment in time, rather it is an ongoing universal concern. Therefore, the coloring of “Inherit the Dust” not only expresses the urgency of protecting the natural world but also takes away aesthetic distractions, allowing the viewer to connect deeply with the subject matter. 

As stated earlier, Brandt’s photo titled “Quarry with Lion” juxtaposes a lion with a quarry construction site. The decision to use a lion as the central subject is significant, as lions are commonly regarded as apex predators that symbolize strength and dominance in the natural world. Physically, a lion has the capability to overpower a human. However, this photo portrays the lion in a vulnerable position as they feel powerless in the face of the quarry construction site. In essence, the photograph serves as a reminder of humanity’s capacity to assert dominance over nature at the expense of ecological integrity. The quarry represents human inflation in the lion’s habitat, symbolizing the relentless pursuit of economic gain at the expense of the wild. In other words, this image highlights the inherent vulnerability of nature in the face of human exploitation. Through this juxtaposition, Brandt challenges viewers to confront the consequences of human actions and consider the implications of our relentless pursuit of conquering the natural world. To put it simply, Brandt’s photography establishes a sense of interconnectedness between human and the environment, while also demonstrating that this is a global crisis. Perhaps the realization will encourage others to consider the consequences of humans’ behavior on the environment and recognize that this is an issue that must be addressed collectively. Such a nuanced understating of this planet may lead to a society that focuses on living in balance with nature rather than attempting to conquer it. 

The recognition of photography as a vital tool in addressing climate change emphasizes how the interdisciplinary approach of the environmental humanities is invaluable when discussing the complexities of global environmental challenges. Art provides diverse perspectives of the natural world, serving as a powerful medium for raising awareness, fostering empathy, and inspiring action. The works from Emmett, Nye, Cronon, and Brandt work together to emphasize how interdisciplinary collaboration establishes a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things. All in all, this highlights how Western society must focus on collaboration with the arts, science, and diverse world views to combat environmental degradation.