| This
exhibition of philosophical models illustrates Plato's
(c.427-347 B.C.E.) four stages of awareness outlined in
his famous dialogue the Republic. The lowest stage
was eikasia - illusion; shadows, reflections,
tricks of the light. Followed by pistis - belief;
objects or ideas that might or might not be true, an
element of trust is involved. These first two stages were
considered to be doxo - opinion. Thirdly came dianoia
- reason, rationalization, measurement of things from the
preceding categories. Finally came episteme - pure
thought; appreciation and understanding of why and how
things really are. These last two categories were
considered noesis - knowledge.
Day has used the five
regular polyhedra known as the Platonic Solids as his
models. Cutting and painting the illusionistic figures
from flat sheets of fibreboard and mounting them on
adjustable brackets so that they can cast deceptive
shadows. The Platonic solids, known since Pythagoras, have
an illustrious history. Considered fundamental by the
ancient Greeks they were rediscovered during the
Renaissance and illustrated by Leonardo for a work on
perspective. |
Johanes
Kepler (1571-1630) thought that he had discovered the
underlying organization of the universe within the
relationships between the five shapes. In the last century
Werner Heisenberg (1901-76) said that the shapes played a
crucial role in his own development of the ideas of
quantum theory.
Today, however the forms
no longer command such scientific veneration and can now
revert to an earlier symbiotic role as emblems of
perfection; philosophical teaching aids; yantras
for contemplation.
Graham Day was born in
central London in 1946 and educated at The Slade School of
Fine Art (University College). He has exhibited widely in
Great Britain, Europe, Asia and the U.S.A. Examples of his
work have been acquired by The British Museum, The British
Library and The Victoria and Albert Museum in London; the
Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris; the Museum of Modern Art
in New York and the World Bank in Washington and numerous
private collections throughout the world. He is currently
lecturing in Fine Art at Bath Spa University College who
have contributed to this exhibition.
17 Nov -19 Dec 2004 |
