Heraclitus project

Collated by Leighann Derck

"Into the same river you could not step twice, for other <and still other> waters are flowing" (Heraclitus, fr. 41). This image has impacted my understanding of fragment 41 because it is an impressionistic take on a babbling brook. It represents Heraclitus' ideology about how the world is a constant flux of changes. Heraclitus claimed that just like the world, the rivers are constantly changing so a person could not step into the same one twice. This image is completely new and different from rivers I have seen in person, so it could symbolize how no rivers stay the same because the water is constantly flowing.
"To those entering the same river, other and still other waters flow" (Heraclitus, fr. 42). This image has impacted my understanding of fragment 42 because it is an abstract take on a river. This painting is so abstract that one might not even realize that it was a river if there was no title. The messy scattered brush strokes symbolize how the river is constantly changing and never the same. It is a new and refreshing adaptation of what a river looks like.
"The harmony of the world is a harmony of oppositions, as in the case of the bow and of the lyre" (Heraclitus, fr. 56). This image has impacted my understanding of fragment 56 because this painting serves as a representation of Heraclitus' philosophy involving harmony between opposites. This artwork encompasses opposing warm and cool colors and differentiating brush strokes. The splattered brush strokes in the middle and foreground are starkly different than the larger, longer strokes in the background. Although there is opposing color and technique, the entire piece still looks harmonious and balanced.
“The sun is new every day” (Heraclitus, fr. 32). This image has impacted my understanding of fragment 32 because it is a new and fresh look at an artist's interpretation of the sun. Heraclitus believed that life is continuously changing. Similarly to Heraclitus' belief that the sun changes on a day to day basis, this interpretation of this sun is completely new to me today.
"Death is what we see waking. What we see in sleep is a dream" (Heraclitus, fr. 64). This image impacted my understanding of fragment 64 because it shows a waking figure who is in pain. When one is awake they see pain and death but when one is asleep it is their chance to escape into their dreams.
“To those that are awake there is one world in common, but of those who are asleep, each is withdrawn to a private world of his own" (Heraclitus, fr. 95). This image has impacted my understanding of fragment 95 because it serves as a visual representation of a figure who is asleep and immersed into their own private world. The figure's hair engulfs their entire face in such a way that makes it seem like they have escaped from the waking world.
"Immortals are mortal, mortals immortal, living in their death and dying in their life" (Heraclitus, fr. 67). This image impacted my understanding of fragment 67 because it is a visual representation of harmony in opposites, which is a topic Heraclitus addressed often. Mortality and immorality, two juxtaposing themes, are brought into one seamless, harmonic sculpture in this image.
"For men to have whatever they wish, would not be well. Sickness makes health pleasant and good; hunger, satiety, weariness, rest" (Heraclitus, fr. 104). This image impacted my understanding of fragment 104 because seeing this illustration of a group of poor, distressed people makes me appreciate life more. I agree with Heraclitus' statement because I think a person needs to experience bad events in life to be able to appreciate their well-being.
"Dogs, also, bark at what they do not know" (Heraclitus, fr. 115). This image has impacted my understanding of fragment 115 because it is a distorted and gestural image of a woman and a dog in the distance. The blurriness of the drawing connects to Heraclitus' quote because it feels like the viewer themselves is looking into the unknown.
"Fire coming upon all things, will sift and seize them"(Heraclitus, fr. 26). This image impacted my understanding of fragment 26 because it is a visual embodiment of Heraclitus' quote. The painting shows a fire developing on the side of a mountain. Heraclitus believed that from fire comes all things, so in this image the fire which has created the mountain is also seizing and destroying it.
“Greater fates gain greater rewards" (Heraclitus, fr. 101). This image has impacted my understanding of fragment 101 because it shows a figure taking risks to obtain what he wants out of life. The vibrant colors in the artwork make it feel upbeat, as if he is making the right decisions and headed in the right direction. The repetition of the figure shows a time lapse of his hard work, achievements and accomplishments.
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