Original Artworks by Kristin Llamas
Kristin Llamas: The Socratic Dialogues, Search for Areté
October 19, 2013-February 8, 2014
250 25th Avenue N
Nashville, TN 37203-1644
(615) 862-8431
Photography by Anthony Scarlati, courtesy of Nashville Arts Magazine
Socrates didn’t give us answers. He gave us questions. His questions were geared toward finding the path to excellence (or areté). Those questions remain unanswered as we continue the search for a life of courage, beauty, honor, temperance, justice, holiness, truth, wisdom, unity, and virtue.
What is Unity? What is holiness? What is temperance? What is courage? What is beauty? What is wisdom? What is Honor? What is justice? What is Truth? What is Virtue?
This exhibit is inspired by actual dialogues similar to those held by the ancient philosophers who gathered at the acropolis on the steps of the Greek Parthenon. In the summer of 2012, AK Llamas and Susan Shockley hosted ten “Socratic Dialogues” throughout the Nashville area. During each dialogue, Kristin Llamas remained silent while the group probed a single question presented. The questions are those above and were discussed in Socrates dialectic method for reflection and response. The goal was to create a casual environment over food and drink just as they did in Socrates time. Philosophical dialogues were often seen as a type of word game or source of entertainment (see Plato’s Symposium). Discussion often took place during parties and Socrates method of elenchus is similar to a game of twenty questions. Here, we represent the application of ancient Greek philosophy in modern day culture.
In response to these dialogues, 10 new works are being created by K. Llamas for debut at the Parthenon Museum during a 16 week exhibition. The work will address the community response to the above questions and depict symbolism relating to current events and/or cultural issues. Actual quotes from the dialogues may even appear throughout the canvases. Viewers are invited to reflect, interpret and respond to the significance of each image in relation to the question that inspired it.
Our goal is to encourage, challenge and inspire one another to discover our own personal path to excellence (or areté). We hope that you will join us in this journey and invite you to sign up for the mailing list below to be invited to upcoming dialogues and events.
See you at the show,
K. Llamas
Visual Artist
Join the mailing list below to be notified about participating in upcoming Socratic Dialogues that will be used as inspiration for this exhibition: