COLUMBIA, S.C. — Visitors to Columbia's Five Points district Friday evening were treated to the second ever Philosophy at Five Points, where they were asked to ponder some of life’s big questions while creating unique artwork.
Billed as a “Curiosity Crawl through Five Points," the event saw shops stay open late while philosophers and local artists teamed up with the public to help create new works of art.
10 unique installations were set up, with a different thought-provoking prompt at each location.
At All Good Books, University of South Carolina Art History Professor Yarianna Colon Lopez invited students to draw their response to the prompt.
“Our theme is about how people interpret different objects and different concepts, depending (on) the language that you speak. They get to draw or write their own interpretations so we can add it onto the wall with all the others,” Colon Lopez said.
At the Boyd Innovation Center, philosopher Kim Beasley invited guests to write their reply to a prompt on a tag, that was then attached to a living artist. She hopes people leave with a sense of community.
“I think I want them to take away the value of community, what it means to collaborate in a community, that kind of thing,” Beasley explained.
Reaction from those who visited the different installations was positive.
Kati Vaan Aernum stopped by to satisfy her curiosity.
“I thought it sounded fun. I love artistic things and I like the idea of the philosophy. I was very curious about what that was going to be. And it’s super fun. I loved every question in every place we’ve gone to so far,” she said.
Beth Dehart liked working with others.
“It’s cool. People are trying new things, getting fun gifts that we’re making. It’s just a really nice moment where people are doing things together,” Dehart explained.
Even first-timers to five points were having a great time. That includes Laura Hawksley.
“This was my first time down here. It’s beautiful here,” Haksley said.
Organizers say they can't wait to grow the event even more next year.