Columbia’s Five Points District Invites Curiosity and Creativity
Columbia, S.C. — If you were strolling through the lively Five Points district last Friday evening, you were in for a delightful surprise! The second-ever Philosophy at Five Points event had locals and visitors alike pouring into the area, eager to tackle some of life’s big questions while flexing their artistic muscles.
A Night of Thought and Art
Labeled as a Curiosity Crawl through Five Points, the event transformed the usually vibrant shopping area by keeping its shops open late. Attendees explored a range of philosophical prompts while collaborating with local artists and philosophers to create stunning new pieces of art. A total of ten unique installations dotted the area, each boasting its own intriguing question for participants to ponder.
Artistic Inspiration
At All Good Books, art history professor Yarianna Colon Lopez from the University of South Carolina set the stage for creativity. She got participants to draw their responses to the prompt about how our interpretations change based on the language we speak. With the chance to contribute to a collaborative mural, attendees eagerly added their own interpretations to the wall.
Meanwhile, at the Boyd Innovation Center, philosopher Kim Beasley had a different approach. She invited participants to write their responses on tags, which were then attached to a living piece of art. “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 shared, highlighting the strong sense of togetherness the event fostered.
Engaging the Community
Feedback from those exploring the installations was overwhelmingly positive. Kati Vaan Aernum, an enthusiastic visitor, expressed her excitement: “I thought it sounded fun. I love artistic things and I like the idea of 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!”
Another attendee, Beth Dehart, complimented the collaborative spirit. “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,” she remarked, capturing the essence of the event.
First-Time Visitors Enjoy the Vibrancy
Even first-timers to the Five Points district like Laura Hawksley shared her enjoyment. “This was my first time down here. It’s beautiful here,” Hawksley said, clearly enchanted by her surroundings.
Future Growth
The event’s organizers were thrilled with the turnout and are already buzzing with excitement to expand the experience next year. “We can’t wait to grow the event even more,” they said, hinting at what’s to come for future iterations of Philosophy at Five Points.
Wrap-Up
As the evening drew to a close, attendees left not just with newfound artistic creations but also with a deeper understanding of community and creativity. The blend of philosophy and art truly made this gathering an unforgettable night in Columbia’s vibrant Five Points district. So mark your calendars, art lovers and thinkers; next year’s Curiosity Crawl promises even more fun!
