"Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy begins with wonder." — Plato, (Theaetetus, 155d)
The Greek philosopher Plato is one of the founding figures of Western civilization. His legacy encompasses ethics, politics, theology, and poetics. In this exhibition, some of today's most celebrated artists consider Plato's impact on the contemporary world. Through sculptures, paintings, drawings, and large-scale installations, they respond to his contribution to philosophy—from defining the ideal to understanding the human condition—while fostering the ultimate Platonic experience: contemplation.
Participating artists: Paul Chan, Rachel Harrison, Huang Yong Ping, Mike Kelley, Jeff Koons, Joseph Kosuth, Paul McCarthy, Whitney McVeigh, Raymond Pettibon, Adrian Piper, and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
This exhibition is supported by Christie's with additional support from The Broad Art Foundation and Dallas Price and Bob Van Breda.
The display of Play-Doh by Jeff Koons is made possible by support from
Special thanks to our hospitality partner
{{event.calendarInfo.calendar.calendarName.$t}}
{{event.shortTitle.$t}}{{event.eventTimeString.$t}}
Plato in L.A.: Contemporary Artists' Visions
Edited by Donatien Grau
Purchase this and other publications in the Getty Museum Store