History and Theory of Contemporary Art: Thesis

Introduction

This thesis attempts to uncover the depths surrounding the term “vanity” and analyze its relationship to the ephemeral by using the bubble as presiding metaphor. Portraying vanity, both in literature and within an artistic practice, has proven to be popular subject matter throughout the ages. From The Old Testament’s book of Ecclesiastes dating back to the era of “Before Christ” (BCE) to still life painting in and before the seventeenth-century Baroque age, and into the present, understanding vanity has been an essential aspect in comprehending the transient nature of life, and more specifically, for the purpose of this essay, a single moment. Within Ecclesiastes, the supposed author, Solomon, warned his people of the sins that coincided with vanity; similarly, still life imagery pertaining to the Dutch Baroque put forth a scene that included a multitude of items, most of which indicated wealth and opulence, but primarily, for the case of this study, the temporal bubble as a signifier of a fleeting moment.

On that note, the Old Testament’s Book of Ecclesiastes refers to vanity as equivalent to irrationality, a nonsensical, exasperating dilemma put forth by the devil as a means of temptation: “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’”2 The verse reveals everything as meaningless, that pleasures gained from futile labor should not rival the fleeting time one is granted on earth: every item obtained, every act performed, all time spent on toil is a result of vanity. In essence, the chapter illustrates particular chores, happenings, and circumstances in which man financially and materially profits from his labor, but does so without knowledge of the everlasting gift of God’s grace. Solomon proclaims this to his people of Jerusalem, urging that generations to come will not recall what has been done before them: “There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after.”3 Emphasis is not placed solely on death and the afterlife, though; rather, it is fundamental to place importance on the present moment - a moment filled with heavenly actions - versus substance, for ages to come will not give credit to what was done before them. The passage translates to damnation in one’s finding substantiality and happiness from possessions, rather than living a life that will not profit from commodity. This is all due to the transience of each day and living with the knowledge that death is inevitable and vanity is a sin. According to the Bible, in the end, those living in the light of God live with the intention of ascending to a new life in Heaven.

As interpreted by Christian tradition, the author of Ecclesiastes is attempting to analyze the perceptible world, the human condition, good versus evil within humanity, and certainly, vanity. He urges his audience to remember that vanity is a sin, that the worshipping of idols is, in fact, no way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven: “What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”4 What the author discovers is man’s longing for more - the more energy exerted and labor completed equates to an abundance of material items, wealth, and happiness. It’s not a foreign concept to our modern world, especially; this realization, in Ecclesiastes, particularly, calls for an attempt at overcoming vanity, prevailing over the aforementioned quote that suggests “all is vanity.” And in turn, a life without vanity is a pure one; a life that brings one closer to God and closer to purity; a life that is, nevertheless, temporary on earth, and eternal in the promise of heavenly transcendence: “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”5 To overcome vanity, one must surrender to the righteousness of God, leaving behind the joy that comes from materiality and remembering that the real profit comes only from Him.